Analyzing grammatical errors in the written exercises of students of Boa Amponsem Senior High School

Abstract

This study was conducted to help ascertain the grammatical errors students of Boa Amponsem Senior High School commit in their writing, the sources of these errors and how to remedy the problem. The researcher consulted various authorities who have written on grammar errors. He adopted the case study research design for the study and used sample population of four-hundred and forty (440) students who were randomly selected, and all the twenty (20) English Language tutors of the school to help collect the data. He also employed the research methods such as interviews, documents and observation to collect the data. Major findings from the use of these methods included: agreement errors, wrong use of tense (past/present, aspect, etc.), singular-plural errors, prepositional errors, article errors and spelling errors. The findings also looked at the sources of the grammar errors which were mother tongue transference, overgeneralization, incomplete rule application. The findings suggested strategies that can be used to curb this problem such as teachers’ and students’ exposure to English Language, differentiating grammar in English from native language, error identification and correction, and adequate time allocation for teaching grammar.