Developing Academic Writing Skills in ESP: Case of Doctoral Students of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ain Temouchent

Abstract

This dissertation examines the academic writing difficulties experienced by ESP doctoral students at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Belhadj Bouchaib University, Ain Temouchent. It aims to identify the nature of these difficulties and to improve the students’ academic writing performance. The study involves a review of related literature, situation analysis and research methodology, needs analysis, task-based academic writing course experimentation, and general recommendations. An experimental case study was conducted using questionnaires, interviews, and writing tests. The results revealed that students’ difficulties were both linguistic and strategic. The implementation of a task-based academic writing course proved effective. Overall, task-based instruction helped reduce writing difficulties and enhanced doctoral students’ academic writing skills.