Instructions on Metacognitive Learning Strategy and the Effects on Narrative Essay Writing Ability of Senior Secondary School Students in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of instructions on metacognitive learning strategy on narrative essay writing ability of Senior Secondary School students in Sokoto State. The main objective was to find out whether training on metacognitive learning strategy has impact on narrative essay writing of the students. Five research questions and five null hypotheses were formulated to guide the research. One hundred and twenty-eight students from SS II in the State served as sample. A Quasi-experimental design was used where a pre-test, treatment and post-test was conducted. A researcher design test instrument called Narrative Essay Writing Test (NEWT) was used to gather data. The instrument was validated and pilot tested using test-retest method. The reliability index of the instruments was 0.75. An intact class was used as experimental group while another intact class served as control group. The control group received instruction on narrative essay writing while the experimental group received instruction on narrative essay writing along with training on metacognitive learning strategy. The statistical tools used in the analysis of the data were mean, standard deviation and t-test. It was found that experimental groups performed better than their control groups’ in the four aspects of narrative essay writing. The conclusion drawn from this was that metacognitive learning strategy can help improve students’ narrative essay writing ability. It was therefore recommended that students at Senior Secondary School level in Sokoto State should be given training on metacognitive learning strategy to enhance their narrative essay writing ability. Furthermore, adequate training should be given to teachers of English as a second language (L2) on metacognitive learning strategies and they should be encouraged to integrate same into their narrative essay writing lessons.

Key Words: Metacognitive Strategies, Essay Writing, Narrative Essay, Senior Secondary School, Content of Essay, Organisation of Essay