Investigating EFL Learners' Paragraph Writing at Tertiary Level

Abstract

In this study the researcher takes the students of semester three at the Faculty of Arts who study English as a foreign language at the University of Shendi as a sample to carry out this study. The study attempts to investigate and identify the problems facing them in writing a paragraph, to identify the actual reasons behind these problems, and to suggest suitable remedial procedures. A test of writing a paragraph was given to 48 students who represent the whole class of semester three at the faculty of Arts. The test results were analyzed by using (SPSS). The results revealed by the test affirm that the students were very weak in writing skills. They failed to follow the steps and the criteria required for writing a well- structured paragraph. Considering the findings of the study, and in order to participate in solving the students’ weakness in writing skills, the researcher recommends and suggests the following: - More consideration should be given to writing skill. -Motivating students and raise their awareness of writing skills. - Curriculum should include enough writing skills courses. -More writing activities should be given to students.