Students' Perceptions of Difficulties in Academic Writing in English: A Study of Secondary Schools in Duhok City

Zeebaree, Hamza; Jomaa, Saman Saleem; Najeeb, Dalia Dayan; Islam, Areen; Shukri, Jagar; Shaaban, Nizheen

doi:10.25130/Lang.9.3.P1.21

	Students' Perceptions of Difficulties in Academic Writing in English: A Study of Secondary Schools in Duhok City
Journal of Language Studies
Volume 9, Issue 3, Part 1, September 2025, Pages 384-406 PDF (1.04 M)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.25130/Lang.9.3.P1.21
Authors
Hamza Zeebaree; Saman Saleem Jomaa; Dalia Dayan Najeeb; Areen Islam; Jagar Shukri; Nizheen Shaaban
University of Duhok - College of Languages - English Department
Abstract
Academic writing in the English language is one of the most difficult challenges EFL students at secondary schools face; however, little research has been conducted on these issues in Duhok city of Iraq. This mixed-methods study investigates the specific difficulties encountered by secondary school students in academic writing and examines educators’ perspectives on these challenges. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to 72 students and semi-structured interviews with 23 teachers and analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The quantitative data results showed that translation and limited vocabulary are the main challenges, with 35% of students sometimes translating from their first language (L1) and 28% sometimes experiencing vocabulary difficulties. Tense usage, spelling errors, and the use of simple words instead of more complex ones were also emphasised as primary concerns. While students highlighted translation, limited vocabulary, and tense usage, teachers noted complex words, grammar and spelling errors as greater concerns. Although educators and teachers agree that translation, grammatical rules, sentence structure, and voice usage need improvement, they also observed that students are less likely to make mistakes with capitalisation and passive and active voice usage.
Keywords
Academic writing; challenges; education; English language; students

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