The Writing of Paragraphs by first-year Students of English as a Foreign Language: from Chaos to Coherence

Abstract

Abstract: This study focuses on the challenges faced by first-year EFL tertiary students, particularly in Algerian mixed-ability classes. Writing coherent and well-structured paragraphs in English represents a true challenge to poorly-taught students. The research aims to identify and understand the specific challenges, uncover their underlying causes, and propose practical remedies. The study reveals a significant overlap between grammar and writing courses in the English Department, resulting in students struggling to apply grammatical rules in their writing. Lack of writing practice and insufficient feedback time further compound the issues. An experiment involving an experimental group and a control group demonstrates that focused paragraph writing instruction significantly improves students' writing skills. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a shift in focus from learning about writing to learning to write. Keywords: coherence, EFL students, language learning, paragraph writing, writing skill,