English Writing Proficiency of Bangladeshi Students: Insights from Higher Secondary Education

Writing, as a productive linguistic skill, has always been considered important for communication. With the amazing advancements in information technology, there have been significant changes in the global communication system, and to be successful in communication effectively, it has become essential for everyone to have good writing skills. There is ample scope for research on the writing skills of students in educational institutions in Bangladesh, especially at important levels such as the upper secondary level, as they enter higher education levels where English is a very important and useful medium of instruction. This study examines Bangladeshi higher secondary students’ English writing abilities and identifies a crucial knowledge gap on the particular difficulties they encounter in spite of curricular improvement initiatives. Despite the fact that writing in English is essential for academic achievement, students still struggle because of inadequate writing practice and inefficient teaching methods. The researcher used a descriptive study design to describe the problem and to explain the problem-solving approaches. Writing samples from 120 upper secondary students at Hataykhari Public College in Gazipur, Bangladesh, were used to gather data. Significant weaknesses were found in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and organization, which were the focus of the analysis. The results indicate that curriculum revisions, improved teaching techniques, and teacher training are crucial for closing the gap between policy and reality. By providing insights to enhance writing competency, improve teaching strategies, and create policies that better support students’ academic development in English writing, this research is beneficial to students, educators, and policymakers.