Guidelines for Improving English Writing Skills of Grade 10 Students at San Eik Government High School in Wakema Town of Myanmar

บทคัดย่อ

This study aimed to (1) investigate English writing problems of Grade 10 students and (2) propose practical instructional guidelines for improving their English writing skills. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The population consisted of Grade 10 students at a government high school in Wakema Town, Myanmar, and a sample of 60 students was selected using purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained from teacher interviews.

The findings revealed that students experienced moderate difficulties in major components of English writing, including grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and all stages of the writing process (planning, drafting, and revising). Among these difficulties, limited vocabulary knowledge and insufficient understanding of the writing process were identified as the most significant problems, which hindered students’ ability to produce coherent and accurate written texts.

Based on the findings, the study proposed instructional guidelines aligned with the research objectives. These guidelines emphasized systematic grammar instruction, vocabulary development, focused practice on spelling and punctuation, explicit teaching of the writing process, and increased opportunities for guided writing practice with constructive feedback. The study concluded that the proposed guidelines could effectively enhance students’ English writing performance and support improved writing instruction in similar secondary school contexts.