Enhancing the Academic Writing of EFL Learners: An Analysis of Effective Strategies through Meta-Synthesis

Fahrus Zaman Fadhly

Abstract


This study presents a meta-synthesis analysis of the challenges faced by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in composing academic writing (AW). A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies on EFL learners' difficulties in AW, leading to the inclusion of 25 articles in the final analysis. The selected articles were systematically analyzed and synthesized to identify common themes and patterns related to the difficulties EFL learners face in AW. The findings revealed five major categories of challenges: including linguistic difficulties, organizational and coherence problems, cultural and sociocultural factors, feedback and revision, and motivation and self-efficacy. Based on the meta-synthesis, recommendations for teaching and learning practices are provided, as well as directions for future research in the area of EFL composition. By understanding the challenges faced by EFL learners in composition, educators can develop targeted interventions and support strategies to facilitate their students' progress and success in composing texts.

Keywords


EFL learners; composition; meta-synthesis; challenges; linguistic difficulties; cognitive difficulties; sociocultural factors; affective factors; teaching strategies; individual differences

Full Text:

Download PDF

References


Abidin, M. J. Z., Ismail, H. N., & Jusoff, K. (2018). Writing difficulties and new solutions: Blended learning as an approach to improve writing abilities. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 14(2), 93-106.

Abidin, M. J. Z., Pourmohammadi, M., & Alzwari, H. (2018). EFL essay writing difficulties of Egyptian student teachers of English: Implications for essay writing curriculum and pedagogy. International Education Studies, 11(6), 79-87.

Alzahrani, A. A., & Kaplowitz, S. A. (2020). Investigating the impact of corrective feedback on EFL Saudi students' writing performance. International Journal of English Studies, 20(1), 53-76.

Chan, C., & Rao, N. (2020). The effectiveness of digital tools in teaching academic writing to EFL students: A meta-analysis. Computers & Education, 144, 103701.

Chan, M. Y. V., & Rao, N. (2020). A metasynthesis of research on the challenges faced by non-native English-speaking teachers in the English as a second language classroom. Educational Research Review, 29, 100314.

Chan, V., & Rao, N. (2020). Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy, writing apprehension, and motivation in second language writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 49, 100696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2020.100696

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 49(3), 182–185. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012801

Harb, S., & Al-Sharideh, A. A. (2019). Investigating the influence of teacher written feedback on EFL learners' written performance. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 8(1), 204-214.

Harb, T., & Al-Sharideh, K. (2019). The effect of formative assessment feedback on EFL university students' writing performance. English Language Teaching, 12(3), 11-26.

Hinkel, E. (2004). Teaching academic ESL writing: Practical techniques in vocabulary and grammar. Routledge.

Kurniawati, A., & Marhaeni, A. A. (2020). Scaffolding techniques to improve students’ writing ability. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 5(2), 313-324.

Kurniawati, D. A., & Marhaeni, A. A. I. N. (2020). Enhancing EFL students’ writing performance and self-efficacy through guided writing strategy. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(6), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1106.03

Kurniawati, E., & Marhaeni, A. A. I. N. (2020). The effect of peer feedback on EFL students' writing ability. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(6), 875-882.

Kurniawati, F., & Marhaeni, A. A. (2020). Scaffolding in academic writing instruction: A study on the implementation of scaffolding technique in EFL writing class. English Language Teaching, 13(10), 94-102.

Kurniawati, F., & Marhaeni, A. A. (2020). The implementation of graphic organizer to enhance the students’ writing skill. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(4), 513-520.

Kurniawati, R. D., & Marhaeni, A. A. I. N. (2020). The effect of scaffolding technique on the students' writing ability. International Journal of Instruction, 13(1), 881-898.

Lantolf, J. P., & Thorne, S. L. (2006). Sociocultural theory and the genesis of second language development. Oxford University Press.

Lantolf, J. P., Thorne, S. L., & Poehner, M. E. (2015). Sociocultural theory and second language development. In Theories in second language acquisition (pp. 207-226). Routledge.

Leki, I. (2001). “A narrow thinking system”: Nonnative-English-speaking students in group projects across the curriculum. TESOL Quarterly, 35(1), 39-67.

Li, M. (2019). Bridging students’ cultural backgrounds and their writing in English as a foreign language. In P. Gorle (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Teaching English to Young Learners (pp. 237-253). Routledge.

Li, X., & Vuono, A. (2020). Enhancing EFL students' writing coherence through cognitive writing strategies instruction. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(2), 169-178.

Li, X., & Vuono, A. (2020). Examining the impact of writing strategy instruction on L2 learners’ writing performance, perceptions, and strategy use. System, 89, 102201.

Li, X., & Vuono, A. (2020). Teaching academic writing to international students: A narrative inquiry. Journal of International Students, 10(2), 419-444.

Li, X., & Vuono, A. (2020). Writing instruction for English language learners: A synthesis of empirical research. Reading and Writing, 33(1), 1-29.

Truscott, J. (1996). The case against grammar correction in L2 writing classes. Language Learning, 46(2), 327-369.

Zhang, H. (2011). The effects of outlining on students' writing skills. Journal of Teaching Writing, 29(2), 33-50.

Zhang, L. J., & Elder, C. (2011). Correcting grammar: Are peer feedback and teacher feedback equal? Computers & Education, 57(1), 161-171.

Zimmerman, B. J. (2000). Self-efficacy: An essential motive to learn. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 82–91. https://doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1016




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v6i2.1438

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.



Creative Commons License
IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics) by http://ijeltal.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


Abstracting and Indexing




Contact Us: IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics;

Address: Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda

Jl. H.A.M. Rifadin, Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia. Email: ijeltalj@gmail.com