USM-PPIP TESOL Colloquium 2013, 25 May 2013 (Universiti Sains Malaysia) Writing Difficulties Faced by USM Postgraduate TESOL Students Marcus Kho Gee Whai Muhammad Yasir Bin Yahya Abstract English language plays a major role in Malaysia as a second language. It is used as the medium of communication at local and international circles. It is also used as the medium of instruction not only in schools but also in the tertiary level. This study aimed at exploring the difficulties in writing faced by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Postgraduate TESOL students in carrying out their academic writing tasks. The data were collected from 60 students. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed by distributing open-ended and close-ended questionnaires to the students. The findings of the study revealed that the students faced problems in relation to comprehension and conception of an idea, mechanics, composition, language accuracy, language appropriacy and vocabulary. Keywords Academic writing, writing difficulties, postgraduate students INTRODUCTION English proficiency is indeed important for the realization of the government’s intention to develop the nation in achieving Vision 2020 that is to be on par with other countries. The use and mastery of the English language should be emphasized since English is an international language which is widely used. English language is taught formally in Malaysia and it is included in the syllabus as early as pre-school education (Siti Hamim Stapa, Nadzrah Abu Bakar and Rozmel Abdul Latiff, 2007). In Malaysia, English language is a compulsory subject to be taken by all students ranging from primary one to form five. In fact, the use of the English language is also intensified at local universities, especially when it is used as a medium of instruction most of the time during the teaching and learning process. An individual’s level of proficiency in English language is often measured by the ability to listen, speak, read and write (Siti Hamim Stapa et al, 2007). These are the four main skills which play important roles in learning a language. When a teaching is conducted, students