Investigating the sources of error in the sentence construction of form two students of Mampong Senior High Secondary School for the Deaf.

Abstract

This is a qualitative study that investigates the sources of errors in the English sentence constructions of the deaf in the Senior High Secondary School for the deaf at Akuapim Mampong in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The instruments used for data collection were observation and test. The total number of instruments used were 30, these were randomly selected from the Home Economics, Visual Arts and the Technical Departments. From these a total of 310 errors were identified. Sources of errors investigated were from the influence of the sign language, teachers not specially trained, overgeneralization of rules and concept, inappropriate textbooks and methods of teaching among others. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that, the English curriculum of the deaf schools in Ghana should be restructured and designed with lots of illustrations to compensate for the hearing disability. These inovations can ensure effective learning and teaching of English Language to the deaf and can yield positive results in the usage of English to enable them access higher education with ease.