An Investigation Of Challenges In Essay Writing:The Case Of Grade 12 (Twelve) Students Of Enchini Preparatory School

Abstract

The ability to attain communication in writing is a chief feature of language development and academic success among students at all levels of the education system. However, to master essay writing skills is a problem students’ face in Preparatory Schools. This has been constantly shown by the result of essay writing activities of grade twelve (12) students at Enchini Preparatory school. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate challenges students face in essay writing skills in English Language (at Enchini Preparatory school.) The specific objectives of the study were: to identify the challenges that the students face in essay writing, to explain the challenges that make learners write ineffective essay, and to distinguish the most variables that affect students’ essay writing. Two types of data gathering tools were employed in order to obtain the data required for the study. One was a questionnaire, which was designed and distributed to students of sampled population. The other was interview by which information was gathered from the English subject teachers. The data gathered from the teachers and their students were then analyzed using quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods. The results of the study tend to indicate that the students were actually less successful in essay writing activities in their English Language Class. The results also appear to show that even though students said that they were given different writing activities including essay writing, both students and teachers themselves witnessed they (students) had serious problems to produce effective essay. On the basis of the findings of the study, recommendations were made as to how to overcome the students’ failure to write effective essay writing. It was recommended that ELT teachers in all disciplines should make writing an inevitable part of the teaching and learning process in their lessons. It was further recommended that the Principals of the school should provide necessary supplementary materials (like reference books ) that help students to maximize their essay writing skills in English language.