Abstract:
This study investigated the problem of punctuation and capitalization among students
of Nangalikinia Junior High school. The purpose of the study is to find out some of the
errors basic school students commit when punctuating their writing. It is also to find
out some of the causes of the punctuation problems among students and how to address
them. This was done through pen and paper survey and through interview. The sample
size used includes thirty (30) J.H.S students and five English teachers from Kasena Nankana West (A) Circuit. The study confirmed that students at the basic school
commit various punctuation problems. Some of them do not punctuate their writings at
all. Others punctuate where they ought not to punctuate while others use one form of
punctuation mark for another or use a small letter in place of a capital letter. It was
discovered that these problems exist because there is limited time allocation for
teaching punctuation. Teachers do not use appropriate teaching strategies to teach the
concept and students are not also encouraged to study it. Therefore, this study revealed
that there is the need for enough time allocation in the syllabus for teaching punctuation
and capitalisation. Teachers need to adopt modern teaching strategies for teaching the
concept. Students should also be encouraged to study the concept. The study has
contributed to the existing literature on the problem of punctuation and capitalisation.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Foreign Languages
Education and Communication, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in
partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Education
(Teaching English as a Second Language – TESL)
in the University of Education, Winneba
SEPTEMBER, 2019
