Focus Group Discussions to Explore Learner Issues When Writing

Abstract

Writing is the most essential skill and all learners must develop regardless of the professions they aspire to pursue. Writing is a big challenge for both native and non-native students especially in the advancement of technology. It is the biggest challenge to the students of English as a foreign language. Using qualitative research methodologies in the classroom teaching and student learning experiences in higher education gains an in-depth understanding of the learners’ issues. The aims of the study were to implement Focus Group Discussions to explore learner issues when writing. The students of a Preparatory year Program of a Public University of Saudi Arabia were selected for this study and their issues of writing English were focused. The research data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and collaborative formative assessment. The data collected through the research tools were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative methods. The findings reveal that the major problems in EFL learners’ writing are insufficient linguistic proficiency in general, organization of weak structures, L1 influence, writing anxiety, lack of ideas, problems in grammar, vocabulary and syntax in particular. The study also sheds light on the remedial measures such as using online applications, vocabulary practice and innovative teaching methods.