Examining the sources of errors in the writing of junior high school students

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the sources of errors that Junior High School students in Awutu-Senya District make in writing in order to establish the actual problem areas for attention and redress. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the data collected from the essays written by the students and also the information obtained from teachers of English during interactions with them. The findings of the study, disclosed that generally, students in Junior High Schools in Ghana have insufficient or little knowledge of the English language code and therefore, they will not be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with other users of English and this can hinder their interaction with other Anglophone students and friends. The study proposes that ESL learners have peculiar needs such as training on the formal properties of the English language and therefore, require immediate intervention by way of organising English language clinics for students and in service training for teachers of English to update their skills. It is hoped that if the recommendations in the study are heeded, standard of English will improve.