Abstract:
This research project focuses on the difficulties students’ face in identifying and using
prepositions and how to remedy the situation. The analysis of this test revealed the
mistakes that students make and the various levels of difficulties they encounter in
using prepositions in English. The difficulties identified include the identification and
use of prepositions in a sentence or phrase in English language. The prepositions
come before the object or the object compliment. The cause of these difficulties have
been identified to be related to poor teaching methods, the position of the preposition
in the sentence, the confusion between the type of preposition that should come before
certain nouns and pronouns in a sentence, the influence of the mother tongue (L1) and
their second languages. The nature of English grammar, the learning materials and the
teaching methods. After analyzing the pretest results, I realised I had to use practical
demonstration to teach prepositions that goes with concrete nouns and pronouns and
add a dialogue accompanied with illustrations to explain abstract objects and what
prepositions can apply. After the intervention, more than 90% of the students
answered the post-test correctly. I therefore recommend the use of practical
demonstration and dialogue with illustrations to facilitate the understanding of the
concept of prepositions.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS,
FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND COMMUNICATION,
SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY
OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF EDUCATION IN
TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (TESL) DE
