Abstract:
This is a qualitative study that analyzed errors in the written essays of form two
students of Ghana Senior High School in Tamale. The study sought to find out the types
and causes of errors in the written essays of students in the Senior High Schools. The
data used for the analysis of the errors comprised written essays of the students in form
two. From this, a total of 2,128 errors were identified from two essay topics. seven error
types were identified and they include concord errors, punctuation errors, spelling
errors, tense errors, article errors, and errors of preposition. From the study, concord
errors had the highest frequency with errors on punctuation being the lowest. Based on
the findings of the study, causes of errors in learners‟ writings were identified as
interlingual transfer, intralingual transfer, context of instruction as well as L1
interference. The pedagogical implications of the errors in the students‟ essays have
also been discussed in the study. Finally in the study, some suggestions are made to
various stakeholders to ensure effective teaching and learning of the English Language
in the senior High Schools in Ghana.
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Foreign
Language Education and Communication, submitted to the School of Graduate
Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Education
(Teaching English as a Second Language)
in the University of Education, Winneba
