An analysis of errors in the writing of J. H. S. students in Odumase-Amanfrom M/A Basic School “4” J. H. S.

Abstract

This study attempts to explore the major sources of errors occur in the writing of Odumase-Amanfrom M/A Basic School “4” J. H. S. learners in the Ga West Municipality of Ghana in the Greater Accra region. It also investigates the types of errors and the linguistic level that presents the most errors in their writing. The study limited itself to the analysis of Error in the writing of the learners from J. H. S. one (1) to J. H. S. three (3) as this would enhance effective teaching and learning. The study used the case study method. A simple of thirty (30) respondents were randomly selected, ten (10) from each form with gender equality. The quantitative data collection instrument was used to conduct a composition test to the respondents. The nature of the essay topic given was descriptive which allowed room for the learners to share what they have experienced and witnessed. The five most common errors committed by the learners were: error of concord, error of spelling, error of tense, error of punctuation and vocabulary error. These five common errors would help the researcher to find out the difficult areas of learners and to achieve fuller understanding of errors committed in writing and to use the appropriate teaching and learning materials as well as effective pedagogies in teaching and learning. It is also important to educators and curriculum developers who should become aware of the kind of errors that their target learners make, so that they are in a better position to put appropriate intervention strategies into place. Learners can also improve on their writing skills for better performances. Among the key recommendations made by this study is the difference for the subject area instructors who are trained or specialised in the subject he or she is teaching and between instructors who are not trained or specialised in the subject they he or she is teaching. Also, the comparison of learners in the urban areas and those in the rural areas notwithstanding the investigation on writing errors in the upper primary learners and the J.H.S learners..