Investigating Difficulties Encountered by Undergraduate Students in using English Prepositions

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating difficulties encountered by undergraduate students in using English prepositions. The researcher has adopted descriptive analytical method. Two instruments have been used for collecting data relevant to the study, namely questionnaire to teachers of English at some Sudanese Universities and diagnostic test to the first year students of English at Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Languages. The study sample of questionnaire comprises (30) teachers whereas the sample of diagnostic test consists of (40) students. The researcher applied SPSS program to analyze and verify the hypotheses. The results have shown that some teachers do not give sufficient practice in classroom to clarify prepositions for students. Moreover, increasing the awareness of using prepositions can positively help students to develop their language competence. The study has recommended that teachers should give students chances for oral participation on using prepositions productively. Furthermore, Teachers should provide practice for students on how to use prepositions. Students should be exposed to realia (e.g. film audiovisual etc) focusing on prepositions. Some suggestions are also proposed for further studies.