The effect of metadiscourse instruction on iranian EFL learners’ speaking ability

Abstract

This study attempted to unveil the effect of metadiscourse instruction on the improvement of the speaking ability of Iranian EFL learners. After the administration of a language proficiency test, 34 homogeneous participants were assigned into the experimental and control groups. Then, the two groups were compared on their speaking ability. After the homogeneity of the participants was confirmed, both groups underwent 4 sessions of instruction. The experimental group received metadiscourse instruction, while the control group received no instruction. At the end of the treatment, both groups took part in the speaking posttest. The results indicated that the speaking performance of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group. In addition, the comparison of the pretest and posttest of the experimental group proved an improvement in their speaking ability; while the same comparison in the control group didn’t suggest any improvement. Therefore, teachers can benefit from metadiscourse instruction to enhance the speaking ability of their students.