Problems faced by ESL Learners in Developing Writing Proficiency, and designing ‘Writing Practice Plan’

Abstract

Writing is considered as one of the main pillars in learning English Language. Sadly, ESL learners are struggling hard to achieve competency in writing. This study looked into the writing problems faced by ESL undergraduates in achieving writing proficiency. The researcher opted a mixed method to analyze the difficulties. 100 ESL undergraduates and 10 ESL teachers participated in this study. Data was collected through questionnaire from students and through interviews from teachers. The results of the questionnaire revealed that the students were making errors in grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, cohesion and coherence. The students were seen weakest in grammar followed by vocabulary. These weaknesses resulted into demotivation and confusion among ESL university pupils. The researcher after analyzing all the problems provided a writing practice plan in which the problems regarding grammar, punctuation, and organizing ideas are addressed. This study entails a 4 week practice plan. In this plan, objectives, tasks, activities, and helping material has been provided week by week. The learners need to start from sentence building and then move to paragraph writing, which eventually help them to write an essay. This study can be prove beneficial to the students and teachers to improve the writing skills of ESL learners. The syllabus designer and teachers need to modify their course and method of teaching respectively.