The Academic Writing Challenges Faced by Saudi Students Studying at a University in New Zealand

Abstract

This study focused on academic writing challenges and its requirements, explored student perceptions and suggested ways in which their needs could be better met. The current study examined the obstacles of academic writing facing Saudi students in a New Zealand university. The study adopted a qualitative method approach in which 10 volunteer students were interviewed to learn their views and perceptions of academic writing skills in English and the questionnaire was used to collect students' demographic information. Also, what can be done to better prepare students for academic study at English medium universities. The students' attitude was not positive, which elicited the problem. The results revealed that the attitude of Saudi students towards learning and using the English language was not positive due to problems in teaching English, which resulted in students not prepared for the requirements of studying through the English language. It is also hoped that the results and recommendations issued by this study will benefit Saudi students, government departments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as English medium universities that accept students.

Factors Underlying Current Saudi EFL Teachers’ Approaches to Teaching the Four Macro and Micro Language Skills

“…Moreover, students do not receive training in formal or academic writing or in developing original ideas through writing or discussion as well as developing ideas in a manner that conforms to the conventions of writing in English. Al-Mukhaizeem (2013) and Ankawi (2015) further noted that Saudi students do not practice writing regularly and that opportunities to practice writing in the classroom are insufficient. Students' inadequate writing performance is ascribed to the decisive factor of lacking practice and guidance in writing skills.…”

Yabancı dil olarak ingilizce öğrenen öğrencilerin işbirlikçi yazma projeleri ile akedemik yazılarını geliştirme

“…Academic writing can be defined as a process of writing that is required in any academic situation. It involves the students to write from a formal perspective applying writing rules and be more accurate (Ankawi, 2015). In the same vein, Thaiss, Chris and Zawacki (2006) state that academic writing is any writing provided to fulfil an educational purpose at the university or college.…”

“…Hence, it makes academic writing even harder. Abdulkareem (2013) and Ankawi (2015) point to some difficulties students face in academic writing including difficulties with grammatical competence, difficulties with the different structure of Arabic and English, and difficulties with differences in genres and socio-cultural differences. Abdulkareem (2013) mentions other problems Arab students face in writing in English language, including paraphrasing, sentence structure and the interference of the students' mother tongue.…”

The impact of grammatical competence on 1st year university English students’ written performance

“…The misuse of grammar usually leads to scrambled writing. Arab students face difficulties in writing compositions (Algamal et al, 2021;Ankawi, 2015;Ibrahim, 2016). Even if the topic is interesting as they feel that they lack the ability to write grammatically correct sentences.…”