The Development and Validation of a Second Language Writing Autonomy Scale

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: L2 Writing Research Across Contexts: From the Primary School Years to Ph.D. Studies (Table 12)

Abstract

This research aims to develop and validate a second language (L2) writing autonomy scale. While previous questionnaires mainly focus on task-specific autonomy in L2 writing, our scale expands the scope to measure three domains of L2 writing autonomy, presenting a continuum from task-specific autonomy to life-in-general autonomy. Following the rigorous scale development and validation procedures outlined by Boateng et al. (2018), we employed a multi-phase approach, including item generation, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and tests of validity and reliability. The resultant scale demonstrated robust psychometric properties. This study offers insights into the key components of L2 writing autonomy, which helps guide autonomy-supportive L2 writing task design and measure the outcomes of authentic/socialized L2 writing tasks.

Authors

• Lanxuan XIE, University of Hong Kong

• Xue Wang, Johns Hopkins University

• Lianjiang Jiang, University of Hong Kong

• Chun Lai, The University of Hong Kong