The underlying reasons for the difficulties in use of the English articles for EFL learners: an analysis based on the learners’ experiences
Abstract
The use of English articles is the most challenging task for the EFL learners particularly when there is no articles in their native language (L1). The purpose of this study is to investigate the underlying reasons for the difficulties in using English articles by analyzing the learners’ own experiences. The data was collected in the form of written feedback from seventy-five adult Pashto (L1) learners of English (L2) having three different educational backgrounds. The data were analyzed by using qualitative thematic analysis software ‘MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2020’. The results brought forth useful insights for learning and teaching the use of English articles for the adult EFL learners. The underlying reasons were found to be the failure in the identification of the concepts of countability, definiteness/indefiniteness of nouns, variability in physical form and concept of nouns, variability across languages, learners/teachers’ attitudes towards articles, lack of article-check in computer software and pedagogical instruction.
Keywords
The English articles countability definiteness indefiniteness variability auto-articles check
References
- Ahmad, K., & Khan, A. Q. (2019). Difficulties in the acquisition and use of English articles among adult Pashto Learners. Issues in Language Studies, 8(2), 1-12.
- Bickerton, D. (1981). Roots of language. Karoma. Ann Arbor, 10, 268-284.
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
- Butler, Y. G. (2002). Second Language Learners 'Theories on the Use of English Articles: An Analysis of the Metalinguistic Knowledge Used by Japanese Students in Acquiring the English Article System. Studies in second language acquisition, 24(3), 451-480.
- Ekiert, M. (2005). Acquisition of the English article system by speakers of Polish n ESL and EFL settings. TESOL & Applied Linguistics, 4, 1, 1-22.
- Ellis, R. (2005). Principles of instructed language learning. System, 33(2), 209-224.
- Felix, S. (1985). More evidence on competing cognitive systems. Second Language Research, 1(1), 47-72.
- Gass, S. M., & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition: An introductory course (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge.
- Hawkins, R. & María del Pilar García Mayo. (2009). Second Language Acquisition of Articles: Empirical Findings and Theoretical Implications. The Netherlands: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
- Hewson, J. (1972). Article and noun in English: By John Hewson. The Hague: Mouton.
- Huebner, T. (1983). A longitudinal analysis of the acquisition of English. Michigan: Karoma Press
- Ionin, T. et al. (2004). Article semantics in L2-acquisition: the role of specificity. Language Acquisition, 12(1), 3-69.
- Master, P. (1997). The English article system: Acquisition, function, and pedagogy. System, 25, 215–232.
- Miller, J. (2005). Most of ESL students have trouble with the articles. International Education Journal, ERC 2004 Special Issue, 5(5), 80-88.
- Raverty, H. G. (1860) A Grammar of the Pukhto, Pushtu or the Language of the Afghans. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press
- Tegey, H. & Robson, B. (1996). A Reference Grammar of Pashto. Office of International Education: Washington, DC.
- Yamada, J., & Matsuura, N. (1982). The use of the English article among Japanese students. RELC Journal, 13, 50-63.
Abstract
References
- Ahmad, K., & Khan, A. Q. (2019). Difficulties in the acquisition and use of English articles among adult Pashto Learners. Issues in Language Studies, 8(2), 1-12.
- Bickerton, D. (1981). Roots of language. Karoma. Ann Arbor, 10, 268-284.
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
- Butler, Y. G. (2002). Second Language Learners 'Theories on the Use of English Articles: An Analysis of the Metalinguistic Knowledge Used by Japanese Students in Acquiring the English Article System. Studies in second language acquisition, 24(3), 451-480.
- Ekiert, M. (2005). Acquisition of the English article system by speakers of Polish n ESL and EFL settings. TESOL & Applied Linguistics, 4, 1, 1-22.
- Ellis, R. (2005). Principles of instructed language learning. System, 33(2), 209-224.
- Felix, S. (1985). More evidence on competing cognitive systems. Second Language Research, 1(1), 47-72.
- Gass, S. M., & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition: An introductory course (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge.
- Hawkins, R. & María del Pilar García Mayo. (2009). Second Language Acquisition of Articles: Empirical Findings and Theoretical Implications. The Netherlands: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
- Hewson, J. (1972). Article and noun in English: By John Hewson. The Hague: Mouton.
- Huebner, T. (1983). A longitudinal analysis of the acquisition of English. Michigan: Karoma Press
- Ionin, T. et al. (2004). Article semantics in L2-acquisition: the role of specificity. Language Acquisition, 12(1), 3-69.
- Master, P. (1997). The English article system: Acquisition, function, and pedagogy. System, 25, 215–232.
- Miller, J. (2005). Most of ESL students have trouble with the articles. International Education Journal, ERC 2004 Special Issue, 5(5), 80-88.
- Raverty, H. G. (1860) A Grammar of the Pukhto, Pushtu or the Language of the Afghans. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press
- Tegey, H. & Robson, B. (1996). A Reference Grammar of Pashto. Office of International Education: Washington, DC.
- Yamada, J., & Matsuura, N. (1982). The use of the English article among Japanese students. RELC Journal, 13, 50-63.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Linguistics |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | April 8, 2021 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2021 |