Abstract:

English language is recognized as a second language and it is used as a medium of instruction in school and tertiary level in Malaysia. As a second language user, students will have difficulties in using the language especially in writing. Writing is considered important to postgraduate students as it implies in doing written assignments, journals and researches. Poor writing skills lead to inequality results. Thus, this paper attempts to discuss the finding on writing difficulties among Postgraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in carrying out writing tasks. Besides, students’ opinions on how to improve their academic writing skills will be examined. The research design in this study employs qualitative method. Open-ended questionnaire was distributed to 15 postgraduate students. The open-ended questionnaire consists of two open-ended items regarding writing difficulties faced by students and how to improve the writing difficulties. The data was analyzed in a descriptive form.

The findings showed that students faced difficulties which can be classified as six categories:
1) comprehension and conception of ideas,
2) composition,
3) language accuracy and appropriacy,
4) vocabulary and
5) lack of time.

The findings on how to improve academic writing skills can be classified into seven categories:
1) Reading extensively,
2) Attending workshop,
3) Seek professional’s assistant,
4) Peer-editing,
5) Practice,
6) Brainstorming
7) Conducting group work or discussion.

This study has found several types of writing difficulties encountered by postgraduate students. The implication of the findings contributes to the understanding of students’ writing difficulties and the information obtained enable lecturers to help postgraduate students in developing substantive knowledge of the academic writing process therefore produce effective academic writing.

Keywords:

Writing difficulties, writing skills, English as a second language.