Difficulties Encountered by Sudanese EFL Students in Understanding and Using English Homonyms

Abstract

Sense relations becomes recent interest to ELT. It domain prominent problems with words meaning interfere for EFL students. Thus, this study attempts to investigate difficulties encountered by Sudanese EFL students in understanding and using English homonyms. In view of this, the broad aims of the study are: to identify the difficulties and explore its types of mistakes too. Moreover, to assess the level of accuracy among those students. To answer the questions of the study, these hypotheses have been set forth and a random sample of (50) fourth year students who are majoring in English at Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Languages. A descriptive analytic approach was adopted including a questionnaire and test to identify difficulties, explore types of mistakes and assess the level of accuracy. The data was then analyzed using percentages and frequencies .The main findings are: misunderstand of English homonyms and difficulty of words having more than primary meaning. Further, the lack of English Homonyms knowledge and accuracy performance play crucial role in affecting students' understand and use of English homonyms. Furthermore, high percentages related to the level of students' accuracy performance indicated to the low accuracy of students' performance. This realized that Sudanese EFL students are not accurate in understanding and using of English homonyms. Based on the finding the study recommended the following: First, Sudanese students need more effort in obtaining knowledge related to English homonyms. Second, Sudanese students should check out English homonyms via available sources at least once every day. Third, using English dictionary should be compulsory requirement to fourth year English majors' students in all universities and private colleges. Fourth, lecturer should explain English homonyms and other sense relations during their lectures. Fifth, in order to enhance students to master this field textbooks and university/college of English Department courses should include homonym words section and its activity. Concerned ministries should adopt new vision of teaching English homonyms through training teachers regularly. It also should adopt every workshop related to the same addressed issues.