Exploring the Difficulties Encountered by EFL Students in Understanding and Using English Hyponyms and Antonyms

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the difficulties encountered by E F L students in understanding and using English hyponyms and antonyms. A test was used as a data collection; the test was verified by the four specialists of English language teachers. The study followed the quantitative way method as well as descriptive and analytical method. The sample of the study was limited to the fourth year students at Comboni College, Khartoum .The sample was randomly selected and consisted of (40) students of 4th year. The study arrived at the following results: Firstly, EFL students at Comboni College,(Khartoum)are not able to identify hyponyms correctly, particularly insubordinate and co-hyponyms. Secondly, EFL students at Comboni College, (Khartoum) are not able to use and understand antonyms appropriately. According to above results, the researcher recommended that: Teachers of English should give more exercises to EFL students, so as to be able to identify hyponyms correctly. Secondly, Teachers of English should introduce students’ different types of antonyms, so as to facilitate learning process.