Essay Writing for ESL Students: Common Mistakes and Fixes

The Challenge of Essay Writing for ESL Students

Writing essays in a second language presents unique challenges that even advanced English language learners struggle with. Essay writing for ESL students involves navigating unfamiliar linguistic territory while simultaneously organizing complex ideas—a daunting task that affects thousands of international students in American universities each year. Research shows that approximately 82% of non-native English speakers identify written assignments as their most significant academic hurdle.

“The difficulty isn’t just about vocabulary or grammar,” explains Dr. Maria Chen from the University of California’s Center for Academic Writing. “It’s about learning to think and express oneself within an entirely different cultural and rhetorical framework.”

This guide addresses the most frequent stumbling blocks ESL students encounter and provides practical strategies to overcome them. Whether you’re struggling with sentence structure or battling organization issues, these actionable tips will help transform your writing from confusing to compelling.

What are the most common mistakes ESL students make in essay writing?

Grammar and Syntax Issues

The foundation of clear communication in English writing depends on proper grammar usage. Many ESL students struggle with elements that might not exist in their native language or function differently.

Subject-verb agreement consistently ranks among the top three grammatical challenges for non-native writers. When subjects and verbs don’t match in number (singular/plural), sentences lose clarity and academic credibility.

Common Error Type	Example of Error	Corrected Version
Subject-verb agreement	The students in my class writes well.	The students in my class write well.
Verb tense confusion	I’m interested in environmental science.	Yesterday I went to the library.
Article misuse	Yesterday I went to the library.	I need advice from a/the professor.
Preposition errors	The students in my class write well.	I’m interested in environmental science.

Related Question: Why do ESL students struggle with articles?

Many languages don’t use articles or employ them differently than English does. The rules for when to use “a,” “an,” “the,” or no article at all depend on whether something is specific or general, countable or uncountable, and previously mentioned or new information—complex distinctions that require extensive practice.

Vocabulary Limitations

Limited vocabulary often forces ESL writers into repetitive patterns that weaken their arguments and diminish reader engagement.

The academic word list developed by Averil Coxhead identifies 570 word families that appear frequently across academic texts but rarely in everyday conversation—precisely the vocabulary most ESL students lack. Learning these terms significantly improves writing quality and instructor perceptions.

Vocabulary Issue	Impact on Writing	Improvement Strategy
Word repetition	Monotonous reading experience	Create a personal synonym bank
Informal language	Reduces academic credibility	Study discipline-specific terminology
False friends	Unintended meanings	Keep notes of tricky word pairs
Collocations	Unnatural expressions	Read extensively in your field

Dr. Paul Nation, a leading researcher in vocabulary acquisition, suggests that understanding approximately 8,000-9,000 word families provides the coverage necessary for comfortable academic reading and writing in English. For most ESL students, this represents years of dedicated vocabulary expansion.

Related Question: How many new words should ESL students learn each week?

Quality trumps quantity. Research suggests focusing on 10-15 new academic words weekly, studying not just definitions but also collocations, synonyms, and usage examples. Regular review and active use of these words in writing assignments reinforces retention.

Structural Problems

Even with perfect grammar and vocabulary, essays fail when poorly organized. Effective structure provides the blueprint that guides readers through your argument.

Structural Component	Common ESL Challenge	Solution
Thesis statement	Vague or missing central claim	Create a formula: Topic + Claim + Reasons
Topic sentences	Disconnected from thesis	Begin each paragraph by linking to main argument
Transitions	Abrupt shifts between ideas	Use transition word bank organized by function
Paragraph unity	Multiple unrelated ideas	One main idea per paragraph with PEEL structure

The PEEL paragraph structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) provides a reliable template for ESL writers struggling with organization:

• Point: Begin with a clear topic sentence
• Evidence: Support with examples, facts, or quotes
• Explanation: Analyze how evidence supports your point
• Link: Connect back to thesis or transition to next paragraph

Related Question: How long should each paragraph be in academic writing?

Academic paragraphs typically contain 100-200 words (5-8 sentences). Rather than counting sentences, focus on completely developing one idea before starting a new paragraph. Extremely short paragraphs suggest underdeveloped ideas, while very long ones indicate the need to break complex thoughts into more digestible units.

How can ESL students improve their essay structure?

Understanding the Basic Essay Format

Many ESL students come from educational backgrounds with different writing conventions. The typical American academic essay follows a relatively standardised structure that may feel foreign to international students.

Introduction components should include:

• An engaging hook relevant to your topic
• Sufficient background information for context
• A clear thesis statement presenting your main argument

Essay Section	Purpose	Common ESL Pitfalls
Introduction	Set context and present thesis	Being too general or too specific
Body paragraphs	Develop individual supporting points	Insufficient evidence or analysis
Conclusion	Synthesize arguments and show significance	Simply restating introduction

Body paragraphs serve as the evidence room of your essay. Each should explore a single aspect of your argument with sufficient development. Many ESL writers make the mistake of including too many underdeveloped ideas rather than fewer fully explored concepts.

The conclusion does more than summarize—it synthesizes your arguments and demonstrates their significance. Effective conclusions answer the “so what?” question, explaining why your analysis matters in a broader context.

Related Question: Should ESL students write the introduction first or last?

Many writing instructors recommend drafting a preliminary introduction to guide your writing, then revising it after completing the essay. This approach ensures your introduction accurately reflects the essay you actually wrote rather than the one you planned to write.

Planning Strategies

Prewriting is particularly crucial for ESL students, as it allows you to organize thoughts in advance rather than simultaneously managing content and language challenges during drafting.

Effective outlining techniques include:

• Traditional alphanumeric outlines (I, A, 1, a)
• Sentence outlines stating each paragraph’s main idea
• Informal but structured lists of key points

Planning Method	Best For	Example Usage
Mind mapping	Visual thinkers	Brainstorming related concepts
Outlining	Sequential thinkers	Creating a hierarchical organisation
Freewriting	Overcoming writer’s block	Generating initial ideas
Question lists	Analytical assignments	Identifying gaps in reasoning

Mind mapping offers particular benefits for ESL writers by allowing you to visualize connections between ideas before worrying about grammatical expression. Starting with key concepts in your native language, then transitioning to English vocabulary as you develop the map, can ease the planning process.

Studies from the University of Michigan’s English Language Institute indicate that ESL students who spend at least 25% of their writing time on planning produce significantly more coherent essays with fewer structural problems.

Related Question: How detailed should an essay outline be?

The optimal detail level depends on your comfort with English. Less confident writers benefit from detailed outlines including topic sentences and key evidence for each paragraph. More confident writers may need only main points and subpoints. Either way, your outline should be comprehensive enough that you could explain your essay to someone else using only your outline as a reference.

How can ESL students enhance their grammar for essay writing?

Targeted Grammar Practice

Improving grammar requires a personalised approach rather than generic exercises. Research from the Language Learning Institute shows that ESL students progress faster when they focus on error patterns specific to their first language background.

For example, Spanish speakers typically struggle with different grammatical features than Chinese or Arabic speakers. Understanding your language’s interference patterns is the first step toward effective grammar improvement.

First Language	Common English Grammar Challenges	Focused Practice Areas
Chinese	Articles, plurals, verb tenses	Countable/uncountable nouns, regular/irregular verbs
Spanish	Articles, plurals, and verb tenses	Preposition collocations, present perfect vs. simple past
Arabic	False cognates, prepositions, and perfect tenses	Subject-verb-object patterns, definite articles
Russian	Word order, articles, and relative clauses	Zero article usage, hypothetical statements
Japanese	Articles, prepositions, and conditional forms	Explicit subjects, count/non-count distinctions

Related Question: Should ESL students focus on grammar or content first?

Writing experts generally recommend focusing on content during early drafts and addressing grammar during revision. However, if certain grammatical issues consistently interfere with meaning, prioritize mastering those specific structures before tackling more complex writing tasks.

Proofreading Techniques

Even advanced ESL writers benefit from structured proofreading methods. Multiple-pass proofreading involves checking your work several times, each time focusing on a different aspect of writing.

Effective proofreading strategies include:

• Reading aloud to catch awkward phrasing
• Reading backwards (sentence by sentence) to focus on grammar
• Creating a personalised checklist based on your common errors
• Waiting at least 24 hours between writing and proofreading

Proofreading Pass	Focus Area	Technique
First pass	Overall coherence	Read normally for meaning and flow
Second pass	Sentence structure	Check each sentence for completeness and variety
Third pass	Grammar checkpoints	Verify subjects match verbs, pronouns have clear antecedents
Fourth pass	Word choice	Look for more precise vocabulary and eliminate repetition
Fifth pass	Mechanics	Check punctuation, capitalization, and formatting

Related Question: How effective are grammar checkers for ESL writers?

While tools like Grammarly can catch basic errors, they miss context-dependent mistakes and sometimes offer incorrect suggestions for ESL writing. Use them as one tool in your revision process, not as a replacement for manual proofreading or human feedback.

What resources can help ESL students with academic writing?

Digital Tools and Platforms

Technology offers unprecedented support for ESL writers, though all tools have limitations. The key is understanding which digital resources address your specific needs.

Grammar and style checkers provide immediate feedback but vary widely in quality. The most beneficial tools explain errors rather than simply flagging them, helping you learn from mistakes.

Tool Type	Best Uses	Limitations	Recommended Options
Grammar checkers	Catching surface errors	Miss contextual issues	Grammarly, ProWritingAid
Vocabulary tools	Finding precise terms	May suggest overly formal options	Academic Word List tools, Lexipedia
Plagiarism detectors	Checking inadvertent copying	Can’t distinguish all paraphrasing issues	Turnitin, Plagscan
Text-to-speech	Hearing flow problems	Won’t catch all meaning issues	Natural Reader, Voice Dream
Readability analyzers	Assessing complexity	Academic writing should be complex	Hemingway Editor, Readable

Related Question: Can AI writing assistants help ESL students?

AI tools can provide useful suggestions but shouldn’t replace your own writing process. They’re most effective when used to generate feedback on your completed drafts rather than to produce content for you. Remember that developing your own writing skills is the ultimate goal.

Academic Support Services

University writing centers offer invaluable support specifically designed for ESL writers. These centers typically provide:

• One-on-one consultations with trained tutors
• Workshops on specific writing challenges
• Resources tailored to different disciplines
• Long-term support throughout your academic career

Research indicates that regular writing center visitors earn significantly higher grades on written assignments. The most successful students begin visiting early in the semester rather than waiting until assignments are due.

Support Type	Benefits	How to Access
Writing centers	Personalized feedback	Schedule appointments through university website
ESL-specific workshops	Targeted skill development	Check international student services calendar
Conversation partners	Improved idiom understanding	Join language exchange programs
Subject-specific tutors	Field-appropriate conventions	Ask department about available resources
Online writing labs	24/7 accessibility	Bookmark university writing center website

Dr. Sharon Myers, director of the Michigan State University Writing Center, notes that many ESL students underutilize writing support services due to misconceptions. “Many believe these services are only for ‘bad’ writers or that seeking help reflects poorly on their abilities. In reality, the most successful writers at any level seek feedback consistently.”

Related Question: What should I bring to a writing center appointment?

Bring your assignment prompt, any drafts you’ve completed, specific questions or concerns, and examples of instructor feedback on previous work. The more prepared you are, the more productive your session will be.

Practice Methods

Deliberate practice yields better results than generalized writing exercises. Research consistently shows that quantity alone doesn’t guarantee improvement—quality and focus matter more.

The reading-to-writing connection is particularly powerful for ESL students. Analyzing well-written academic texts in your field provides models for organization, vocabulary, and style appropriate to your discipline.

Practice Method	Benefits	Implementation Tips
Genre analysis	Understanding field-specific conventions	Collect strong papers from your discipline
Sentence combining	Developing syntactic complexity	Practice joining simple sentences with various connectors
Focused revision	Addressing specific weaknesses	Revise multiple times, each with different focus
Journal writing	Building fluency and confidence	Write regularly without grading pressure
Peer review groups	Gaining outside perspective	Form study groups with classmates

Related Question: How much should ESL students write each day?

Quality trumps quantity. Fifteen minutes of focused writing practice daily is more beneficial than occasional marathon sessions. Consider keeping a daily academic journal where you summarize course readings or respond to lecture content in English.

Frequently Asked Questions