Abstract

This study explores the participants’ perceptions on the efficacy of email discussion as well as the impact of students’ interactions and knowledge construction on ESL (English as a Second Language) writing performance. The primary focus of this study centres on how participants communicate via email in a collaborative learning environment incorporating process writing approach and pair work activity. The data for this study embraces the email messages, writing assignments and interview transcripts. Participants’ perceptions were obtained through individual and group structured and semi-structured interviews. These interviews comprised closed questions with pre-coded responses, open-ended questions and a catch all final question to capture as much information as possible. They were conducted via synchronous internet mediated communication technologies. Overall, participants revealed positive perceptions towards collaborative learning via email discussion. The findings is hoped to contribute to the development and testing of the efficacy and flexibility of process approaches to ESL writing instruction through e-mail.