The Impact of Self-Directed Learning on Academic Writing Skills of EFL Learners with Critical Thinking Ability

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Impact of Self-Directed Learning on Academic Writing Skills of EFL Learners with Critical Thinking Ability
Language: English
Authors: Zahra Maryam (ORCID 0009-0002-3770-0812), Sazuliana Sanif (ORCID 0000-0002-5050-9986), Asad Ur Rehman (ORCID 0000-0001-7623-2754), Siti Hajar Moham (ORCID 0009-0000-2907-2970), Norhidayah Binti Azman (ORCID 0000-0001-8324-7137)
Source: Language Teaching Research Quarterly. 2025 47:281-304.
Availability: European Knowledge Development (EUROKD). e-mail: editorial@eurokd.com; Web site: https://www.eurokd.com/journal/jd/1
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2025
Intended Audience: Teachers; Policymakers
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Critical Thinking, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Academic Language, Writing Skills, Independent Study, Rating Scales, Writing Improvement, Foreign Countries, Likert Scales, College Students, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Pakistan
ISSN: 2667-6753
Abstract: The mediating function of critical thinking ability (CTA) in the link between language learning techniques and the academic writing of EFL learners has garnered increased attention because of recent educational innovations. Present study aims to examine the impact of self-directed learning on the academic writing skills of Pakistani EFL learners by emphasizing the mediating function of critical thinking ability. Validated scales were used to measure all the research variables. Using a quantitative research approach, data was collected from 240 Pakistani students randomly selected based on the population of Punjab province. For data analysis, IBM SPSS AMOS 25 was used to analyze descriptive data, and then SEM was performed to analyze the structural relationship between constructs. Findings indicated that self-directed learning positively enhanced the academic writing skills of EFL learners, and critical thinking ability partially mediated the relationship between self-directed learning and academic writing skills. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was found among all these variables. This study emphasizes the significance of encouraging SDL and critical thinking to improve academic writing skills. These findings provide insightful information to educators and policymakers on how to improve EFL learners' writing performance through active and independent learning in self-directed learning by integrating critical thinking.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1479985
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The mediating function of critical thinking ability (CTA) in the link between language learning techniques and the academic writing of EFL learners has garnered increased attention because of recent educational innovations. Present study aims to examine the impact of self-directed learning on the academic writing skills of Pakistani EFL learners by emphasizing the mediating function of critical thinking ability. Validated scales were used to measure all the research variables. Using a quantitative research approach, data was collected from 240 Pakistani students randomly selected based on the population of Punjab province. For data analysis, IBM SPSS AMOS 25 was used to analyze descriptive data, and then SEM was performed to analyze the structural relationship between constructs. Findings indicated that self-directed learning positively enhanced the academic writing skills of EFL learners, and critical thinking ability partially mediated the relationship between self-directed learning and academic writing skills. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was found among all these variables. This study emphasizes the significance of encouraging SDL and critical thinking to improve academic writing skills. These findings provide insightful information to educators and policymakers on how to improve EFL learners' writing performance through active and independent learning in self-directed learning by integrating critical thinking.
ISSN:2667-6753