Emploi de l adjectif attribut en fle par les apprenants d Akosombo International School

Abstract

This study is a research into the difficulties students of Akosombo International School encounter in using attributive adjectives in French language. The analysis of the tests and questionnaires conducted unearth many of the mistakes learners often made and revealed the various levels of difficulties they faced in using the attributive adjectives in French. The methodology used involved learners writing a grammar test on attributive adjectives and teachers responding to a questionnaire. The errors were analyzed and we realized that most of the difficulties students faced were associated to the agreement of the subject with the attributive adjectives. We discovered that the causes of these difficulties involved the influence of the mother tongue and the second language (English). The differences between adjectives in French, English and Twi, the mother tongue of most of the learners, as well as the complexity of the French language were also identified as some of the causes of these difficulties. It was also realized that the teaching methods used by teachers and the attitudes of the students are some of the contributing factors to the difficulties. It was well noted that some of the errors are caused by over generalization of French grammatical rules and the transfer of their knowledge of adjectives in twi and English in French. The study therefore proposes steps aimed at correcting these difficulties and motivating the use of the attributive adjectives. It is expected that the findings and recommendations of our study will help reduce learners’ errors with regards to the use of the attributive adjectives at the SHS level and thus improve their written and oral communication in French.