Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine learner errors in both rural and
urban schools. The first aim was to determine through literature the types of
errors and their probable causes. The second aim was to conduct an
investigation into errors committed by learners and experienced by educators
from learners. The questionnaires were developed by the researcher for both
educators of English as a second language and learners of English as a
second language. By using the questionnaires the researcher was interested
in determining whether factors such as lack of resources such as libraries,
learning material, under qualification in English as a subject, lack of
training in the structure of English and other factors had any influence in the
committing of errors by learners.
In terms of factors associated with errors, the most common factor to which
all educators responded as a causal factor was the lack of facilities, among
others, was the shortage of libraries and library books in cases where there
are libraries. One other factor which was prominent was the lack of training
in the structure of English as a subject. The last chapter of this investigation
recommends a variety of strategies that could be employed both by the
educators and the Department of Education to minimise English errors
among learners of English.
