Improving writing skills of foreign students (an action research study)

In this study, the effects of action research on writing skills of foreign students are examined. The sample of the study consists of 7 foreign students who study Turkish on A2 level in Turkish Language Teaching Center of Giresun University in 2015-2016 academic year. These group of students were selected according to "criterion sampling" which is a type of purposive sampling method used in qualitative research studies. The study was designed by using Action Research Model as a Qualitative research approach. The researcher had a dual role as both researcher and implementer in the study. The data of the study was gathered through "The Written Expression Evaluation Form, The Teacher's Diary and The Questionnaire of Students' Opinions on Process of Action Research". In addition, in the selection of the students in the sample, "Turkish Exemption Exam" and "Student Interview Form" and during the conduct of the study, "The Students' Written Expression File" which was prepared by the students in order to store their written works were used. While the qualitative data was analysed by using content analysis technique, the quantitative data was analsed by using statistical techniques. The study found that action research had positive influence on improving writing skills such as using a page properly, using capital letters correctly, writting proper nouns, using grammar accurately, forming meaningful and grammatically correct sentences, using periods and commas correctly, using compound verbs correctly.