Quasi-experimental study on fostering creativity through creative writing in German as a Foreign Language (GFL) in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: In this paper, creative language teaching and learning will be discussed in the context of subject-based development of creativity that supports learning performance. Although there are several benefits of creative teaching and learning methods, creative writing tasks are not typical in foreign language education. The main focus of this study is developing a creative writing test in GFL education. Methods: The pilot study was implemented in a primary school in Hungary in 2020/2021 and introduces a model to enhance creativity in German as a Foreign Language (GFL) classroom through creative writing tasks. In the pilot experiment, pre- and post-test design was used. Results: Results of the study show that there is significant correlation between creative writing and creative thinking skills, measured with a Language Proficiency Test for Creative Writing Skills and the Test for Creative Thinking/Drawing Development (TCT-DP) by Urban and Jellen (1996). The results indicate that our creative writing skills assessment instrument is valid for measuring creative performance in GFL, however in the development of creative writing we could not prove significant changes in the experimental group, probably because of the online teaching situation during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Conclusion: Creative writing is an important tool for enhancing divergent thinking and foreign language competence. Through creative writing tasks, students engage with the language more intensively and their creative, imaginative thinking skills develop. For the evaluation of students’ creative texts analytical rubrics have been developed and they proved to be appropriate. However, despite the exciting and thought-provoking exercises, more motivation and criterion-oriented feedback is needed to support the creative learning process in an online learning environment.