Explicit Form Focus Instruction: The Effects on Implicit and Explicit Knowledge of ESL Learners

Abstract

The study examines the effect of explicit form focus instruction and specifically
metalinguistic information feedback on the development of both implicit and explicit
knowledge of adult English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Ninety-one subjects at the
lower intermediate level were carefully selected through placement test at one of the
selected education centre in Kuala Lumpur and randomly assigned into experimental and
control groups by the researcher. A quantitative study was conducted over approximately
four weeks in 16 sessions. Modal (can and have to), past tense with –ed, Present perfect
(since and for), Comparatives, Unreal conditionals were chosen as the target structures.
Target structures were taught based on the lesson plan of the study. Pretest and posttest
were given before and after the intervention program. The tests consisted of two tests
designed to measure implicit knowledge (i.e., EOIT & TGJT) and two other tests (i.e., UGJT
& MKT) to measure explicit knowledge. Results of ANCOVA analysis show gains on both
types of knowledge on the posttest. The theoretical implication of the results suggests
explicit instruction adequately facilitates development of L2 implicit and explicit
knowledge. Pedagogically, these results suggest that explicit instruction on some English
language features may benefit L2 learners, especially in facilitating their implicit
knowledge.