Conflicting Expectations by Lecturers and Students Regarding the Production of Good Academic Writing: A Case Study at the University of Rwanda

Abstract

In the academic context, lecturers often describe students’ academic writing as very poor whereas the students themselves affirm not to understand the lecturers’ expectations with regard to ‘good writing skills’. This is a report on a study conducted in Rwanda to explore students and lecturers’ expectations of good academic writing. The investigation is underpinned by recent developments in academic writing theories. Based on a qualitative approach and a case study methodology, data were collected by analysing key teaching materials, visiting classes and interviewing academics and students. The findings revealed that lecturers’ conception of teaching and learning academic writing is underpinned by an autonomous view - based on discrete skills. It is recommended that the lecturers’ understanding of the academic literacies approach should be properly developed to meet the expected literacy competence goals.

Key words: ESL, Writing skills, Academic writing, Literacies, Conceptualisation