A Review of Problems Arab Students Encounter in Academic Writing[1]

Aya T. EL-Sakran

Abstract

To improve international learners' academic writing skills, and in an attempt to solve some of the previously discussed challenges, universities and other educational institutions in the UK, the United States of America and many other English speaking countries offer EAP classes and free-access online courses. Such courses, informed by research results in academic writing, are intended to enhance students' general academic writing skills. Some of these are pre-sessional; whereas, others are in-sessional. These courses are based on an analysis of what learners need to know to become better academic writers. However, these types of courses may be described as "common core of academic writing" (Etherington, 2008, p. 27).

From the discussion, it can be concluded that academic writing may not be an easy task especially for non-native speakers (NNS). To become a professional academic writer, a person needs extensive reading in the academic discipline, writing practice and feedback and guidance from expert writers. This underscores the importance of writing instructors’ immediate and clear feedback on students’ written assignments and projects.