“Analysis of Students’ Sentence Errors in EFL Context: The Case Of, Grade 9 Students at Bako High School.”

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the common types of sentence errors committed by students while writing sentences. The study was carried out in Bako High School with special reference to grade 9 students. In this study descriptive design involving both qualitative and quantitative techniques was employed to address the problem. To conduct the study, three English teachers and 48 grade 9 students were selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques respectively. In order to achieve the objectives, the study employed three data gathering tools: student’s written test, student’s questionnaire and teacher’s interview. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and test. Qualitative data were collected through test and interviews. The data that collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively by using frequency, and percentage. The test was analyzed quantitatively by using frequency, and percentage and also qualitatively by using Oshima and Houge approach. The data that was collected through interview was analyzed qualitatively using narrative form. The study identified the major sentence writing problems students’ encounter. These are problem of, comma splice, sentence fragment, choppy sentence, misplaced modifier, dangling modifier, unparallel structure, choppy sentence and shift in point of view. It was also discovered that teachers did not use variety of approaches to motivate their students in writing activities. Thus, as writing is a skill that could be improved through adequate practicing. Bako High school students should have been given chance of learning and practicing features of good sentence to effectively use them to write a paragraph. English Language teachers ought to adapt the writing activities to make interesting, motivating and achievable to the students in time given for the activity.