An Investigation into Undergraduates’ Errors in the Use of the Indefinite Article at Omar Al-Mukhtar University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine  the use of English articles as well the errors made by the students at Omar Al-Mukhtar University. The research objectives consists of : To identify the types and sources of errors made by Libyan EFL Undergraduates at Omar Al-Mukhtar University in the use of the indefinite article during their written composition, To determine the major types of errors in which larger numbers of errors have been committed by the students in their written composition.  Based on previous studies,  A qualitative method of data collection represented by an essay-writing composition is implemented in this study. Moreover, they were asked to write essay writing composition of the following topics "Discuss The Problems You Face In Learning English Language?" The results provide of this study, reporting the information collected from Compositions and  analyzed by  using descriptive statistical percentages in terms of errors numbers and percentages of errors occurrences under their major types, which enabled the researchers to put these in an order of their occurrences. In other words, data were organized using categories given to each of these errors. Regarding the length of compositions, a total of (2194) English words were written by the students across their university levels. Freshmen wrote a total of (1193) words which represents (54.37%) whereas sophomores wrote (1001) words which represents (40.62%). These research also suggest that there is a significant and negative impact of  the use of English Articles. Since majority of students agreed that the English Articles are important, and  we should look at the importance of English language as well as how students improve their proficiency in English articles  towards mastering the use of English language.