EFL Learners’ Perceptions of the Educational Value of University Extracurricular Writing Programs

The aim of this study was to explore learner perceptions of the educational value of extracurricular English writing programs for university students in South Korea. The program of this study was designed to help students improve their English writing by providing them with opportunities to meet with native English speaking teachers one-on-one in 30 minute sessions. After completing the 10 week program, an open-ended survey of 85 students and in-depth interviews with 12 of those students were conducted to investigate their perceptions of the educational value of the program. Results indicated that the main reason students participated in the program was to have regular class assignments and job applications edited, focusing on error corrections. Emphasizing one-on-one oral feedback, most participants expressed satisfaction with their experiences in the program. In addition, some students discovered their voices and became more active participants in the process of learning. This study highlights the importance of promoting EFL learners’ active roles in writing conferences, providing individualized oral feedback, and creating stress-free writing experiences.