Writing papers in language X and translating to English vs. writing papers in English to begin with? As a non-native English speaker myself, based on some experiences I recommend you to first write some drafts in your native language. Yes, being able to directly think and write in English is a great skill and it is recommended, but if you are not mastered with this skill, it may evade you from writing down your ideas. For a paper, the cohesion of ideas is the first matter and the language is the second. You don't need to write it completely in your own language, but you can use it to keep focused on your ideas and organize your paper (without being drifted by finding proper words), the flow of information, the reasons, arguments, etc. Then replace these sections with proper (not necessarily translation) paragraphs in English. And till you don't write down your thoughts you are not sure of what is in your mind.

If you can understand me, then I can understand you! My response to this question:http://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/26751/do-asian-authors-have-a-different-style-of-academic-writing-from-european-author/47967#47967 I am from Middle East, from Iran. I don't know what your professor said is about Asians (Chinese, Japanese,...) or he meant all the non-European people? It seems he didn't mean anyone whose language is not English as many other Europeans also don't speak English. If he has this problem with only Asian people, not for example with people from Middle East or from India, then you may need to ask yourself what is the difference between your thinking style or writing style which is different from others! However, it still can back to the language barrier, as people from different nations have their specific problems in using English, but it's probable that it originates from your culture and your thinking or argument style. Movies from different nations are good examples which shows people's arguments are different. For example I can't connect much with movies from India (they are very unrealistic and general) or even many Western movies (They are too realistic and documentary with details). It was an example how cultural difference affect the thinking style or life style. It, then reflects in writing. As a Persian we do use similes or metaphors in our language, we are not much direct, and we enjoy it, but western people are more direct and they understand things at it is. Then, they expect no indirect implication.However, regarding scientific writing standards, they are right, but we found them very zero and one ! In general, if you want to be liked by them, try to discover them and be like them. and last rule: If you can understand me, then I can understand you! For the last example consider my arguments in this post, many people may won't connect with it, maybe because of their culture again! or maybe because I am still naive and need to study more!!