An analysis of lexical bundles in the English writings of senior high school students in Accra Metro

Abstract

This study examined the use of lexical bundles in the writings of students of public Senior High School Students in the Accra Metropolis. Specifically, the frequency of occurrence of lexical bundles, their structural classification as well as their functional classification are explored in order to propose pedagogical approaches to teaching lexical bundles as an aspect of English Language to Second Language Learners. The research design was a case study and the research approach qualitative. The sampling procedures adopted were stratified sampling and purposive sampling techniques, while analysis of the data was done using the identification, categorization and textual analysis approach. Data were obtained from 5 schools, 12 courses from 168 writings (scripts) of students. The findings indicate that out of a total number of words of seventy-five thousand, six hundred (75,600) analyzed, two hundred and twenty-two (222) lexical bundles were identified, with the most recurring lexical bundles recurring 20 times across all scripts analyzed. Three (3) word lexical bundles formed the majority of all identified lexical bundles, making up 40% of the 222 identified lexical bundles. With regard to the structure of these identified lexical bundles, the noun structures formed the majority, constituting 34% of the 222 bundles. Functionally, the research-oriented bundles and text-oriented bundles constituted 17% each of the lexical Bundles. There are pedagogical approaches that have been proposed in the study that directs the educator as to how to introduce and infuse the learning of phraseology into mainstream classroom-based activities.