EXPLORING INDONESIAN STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE WHILE WRITING AN ENGLISH FEATURE ARTICLE IN THE WRITING FOR THE MEDIA CLASS

Abstract

This study aims to explore Indonesian students' experiences while writing an English feature article in the Writing for the Media class (WFM). The research interviewed six PBI UKSW students who had already experienced the WFM class and completed the writing feature article assignment. The qualitative-descriptive methodology was implemented using the semi-constructed interview to collect the data. The study found that the students wrote their essays in small groups with the predetermined topic decided by the teacher team. Specifically, their activities in writing the feature article included choosing the source person, finding resources, collecting and analyzing data, and drafting the essay. Throughout the writing process, the students gained several benefits, such as research skills, communication skills, and expressing their ideas in written form more easily. Despite the benefits, the students also experienced some challenges related to writing in a team, different writing styles, and diverse English proficiency levels among the group members. This study concludes that to successfully achieve EFL students writing a specific type of text, such as feature articles, L2 writing teachers should provide a well-structured writing guide and disciplined, adequate supervision.