Some Causes of Writing Problems of Second Year English Majors at Abbiyi Addi College of Teacher Education
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to investigate the major causes of
students' problems in writing in English. The study was carried out in
Abiyyi Addi College of Teacher Education with special reference to second
year English major students. From the total of 160 students, 50 of them
were taken using a simple random sampling method. Moreover, all the six
language teachers were taken as the subjects of the study. So as to obtain
relevant and sufficient-information, the researcher used questionnaire and
interview as instruments. The findings of the study reveal that the
students have a lot of problems in writing in English such as problems in
using appropriate grammar items, problems of organizing ideas, problems
in using correct punctuation marks and correct spelling. In addition to this
the students have difficulties in using appropriate cohesive devices when
they write in English. Students' lack of practice in writing in English since
lower grades, lack of adequate time during writing exercises, focusing on
mechanics and grammar than on contents in teaching writing, less help
from language teachers in writing, inappropriate feedback given by
teachers in writing, inappropriate activities in the module and the difficult
nature of the writing skill itself are found to be the major causes of
students problems in writing in English. Finally, on the basis of the
findings, recommendations are made.
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Writing Problems