INVESTIGATING CHALLENGES THAT STUDENTS’ ENCOUNTER IN WRITING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS: THE CASE OF GRADE 11 STUDENTS AT WOLDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate challenges students’ encounter in writing an effective paragraph at Woldia Preparatory School of Grade 11 students in focus. Descriptive case study research design was employed to address the intended purpose. To conduct the study, four EFL teachers were selected with available sampling techniques along with 36 sample students who were selected by random sampling technique. In order to achieve the intended objective, the study employed three data gathering tools: Document analysis, classroom observation and semi-structured interview. Document analysis was employed to assess how well students’ paragraphs were developed based on the elements of successful paragraph such as: cohesion, coherence, unity, organization, adequacy and linguistic proficiency. In addition, classroom observation was conducted to identify what teachers were doing to encourage students to overcome the problems under investigation. Moreover, semi structured interview were employed to both EFL teachers and students to identify factors affecting the achievement of features of effective paragraph and what these teachers were doing to encourage students to overcome the problem under investigation. All the collected data were analyzed qualitatively. The study depicted that the students’ paragraph had problem of cohesion, coherence, unity, organization, adequacy and linguistic proficiency. In other word, this indicated that students had major challenges in achieving elements of effective paragraph to write a successful paragraph student related challenges like: lack of knowledge of strategic use, students’ writing apprehension, shortage of vocabulary and lack of regular practice, and teachers’ related factors such as teachers’ ways of giving feedback. The study also revealed that the challenges were students’ and teachers related. Finally, using the findings obtained from the analysis of students’ paragraph, responses from teachers’ reflection and information from students’ interview, it was recommended that since paragraph writing is a skill that could be improved through sufficient practicing Woldia Preparatory school students r ecommended to be given chance of learning and practicing features of good paragraph to effectively use them to write an effective paragraph.