Responsible Factors for Problems in Academic Writing: An Investigation on English Major BA Honors First Year Undergraduates

Abstract

Academic writing is the most practiced skill to assess students‟ performance at almost every level of education. And this skill is largely associated with students' linguistic proficiency, which poses a significant challenge for EFL learners. Despite the compulsory inclusion of English as a subject in the curriculum of primary and secondary education in Bangladesh, many undergraduates face difficulties in academic writing because of some influential factors. Moreover, writing in English is crucial for the academic success of English-major BA honors first-year undergraduates. This research specifically examines these problems in academic writing and the responsible factors. A mixed-method approach is used, which includes a survey questionnaire, written samples, and semi-structured interviews for data collection. The findings from data analysis inform pedagogical approaches and support mechanisms that can significantly enhance EFL learners‟ academic writing skills and contribute to their overall success in higher education.