Student Engagement with Teacher Written Corrective Feedback among Chinese Private College Students of Varying Language Proficiencies

Abstract

While the efficacy of teacher written corrective feedback (WCF) has been extensively explored, a research gap exists in examining the disparities in how low-proficiency (LP) and high-proficiency (HP) students receive such feedback in second language (L2) writing. Through an analysis of five writing tasks distributed over a 16-week course, this research explored the affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions of student engagement with WCF. Six Chinese EFL sophomores, three designated as LP and three as HP students, were selected through purposive sampling. Data collection methods included analysis of students’ L2 writing tasks and stimulated recall sessions. The findings illustrate varying engagement patterns, highlighting LP students’ frustrations and HP students’ reflective and constructive interactions with feedback. These patterns are interpreted through the lens of sociocultural, social cognitive, student engagement, and complex dynamic systems theories, offering a multifaceted framework for understanding the influence of WCF on L2 writing proficiency. These findings also contribute to language learning pedagogy by highlighting the importance of tailored feedback strategies that address the comprehensive dimensions of student engagement to enhance the pedagogical effectiveness of WCF in fostering language proficiency and engagement in EFL settings.