English has long been used as a medium of instruction in the Philippine educational

system. Instruction ranges from primary to tertiary. It is utilized as a learning tool as well

as a means of communication (Quibol-Catabay, 2018). Writing is a method of conveying

thoughts, ideas, and feelings in which a writer pieces together the text, developing

concepts through sentences and paragraphs within any structure (Hedge, 1988).

Writing skills are a crucial aspect of communication for students throughout their

academic careers because they help them to organize their feelings and ideas

coherently as well as express meaning through well-constructed text (Afrin, 2019).

Moreover, writing represents one of the most important skills, according to Al-Buainain

(2007). challenging and often frustrating subjects to teach, particularly in English as a

second language Program for English as a Second Language (ESL). It is especially

difficult for non-native speakers since learners are expected to produce written products

that demonstrate their ability to arrange content, target the appropriate audience, and

demonstrate their linguistic ability (vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, etc.). As a result, it

is critical to master and practices effective and engaging writing abilities. The ability to

write in a certain discipline, to the contrary side, has become essential for future

professional writers to integrate into their academic, scientific, or professional

communities (Rakedzon & Baram-Tsabari, 2020). There are distinct features of

language that must be followed when writing in order to transmit thoughts and self-

actualization that readers can understand. Writing also includes creative inspiration,

problem-solving, reflection, and rewriting that lead to a finished text. Writing, from the

perspective of a student, maybe a difficult and even dreaded exercise in attempting to

put thoughts on paper while establishing mastery over writing norms such as spelling,
citation format, and grammar. It is additionally stated that writing is difficult for a big

segment of people, and it has been reported that now the literacy rates in the

Philippines have improved. From 2010 until 2021, the literacy rate reached its highest in

2021 and lowest in 2018. In 2021, the literacy rate was 99.27%. The literacy rate in the

Philippines increased by 1.4% between 2010 and 2021. In 2021, the literacy rate

improved by 0.03% year on year. In this light, the purpose of this study was to

investigate the prevalent writing challenges and attitudes of junior high students at

Junob National High School. It attempted to answer the following research questions in

particular: 1.1. What are some of the most prevalent writing issues that junior high

students face in their academic writing performance? 1.2. What are the most typical

writing attitudes encountered by junior high students in English as a foreign language?