English Language Education Journal
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): English Language Education Journal

EFL STUDENTS’ CHALLENGES IN WRITING ACADEMIC ESSAY INTRODUCTIONS

Gabriel Fredi Daar (Universitas katolik indonesia santu paulus Ruteng, Indonesia)
Solania Putri Yuna (Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study critically examines the challenges encountered by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in composing effective academic introduction sections. Employing a qualitative case study design, this research involved undergraduate students enrolled in an academic writing course at English Education Department, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews to capture both textual deficiencies and learner perceptions. The findings revealed that students encounter multifaceted challenges, including inadequate synthesis of scholarly sources, inability to establish a coherent research territory, and limited awareness of gap identification strategies. Furthermore, linguistic constraints such as restricted academic vocabulary and syntactic inaccuracies exacerbate these issues. Notwithstanding these challenges, some students exhibit adaptive strategies, including the utilization of model texts and collaborative peer feedback. The study underscores the necessity for explicit pedagogical interventions focusing on genre awareness, critical reading, and structured writing scaffolds.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

elej

Publisher

Subject

Description

The English Language Education Journal (ELEJ) is a scholarly journal that provides a platform for researchers to publish scientific work. ELEJ focuses on publishing literature reviews and research-based articles in the area of English as a foreign language teaching and applied linguistics, with the ...