Investigating the Difficulties Encountered by EFL Learners in Constructing Sentences

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating difficulties encountered by students in constructing sentences. The researcher adopted the descriptive method of research, where the researcher designed a test for the second year students at (SUST), College of Languages, English - department. The test consisted of three questions; each question consisted of 5 items. As for data analysis the researcher used a computer programmed known as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study showed that, students are unable to construct a sentence in the correct linear sequence, students are able to identify “declarative, interrogative, exclamatory” sentences, most of university learners find difficulty in identifying the imperative sentence and they are able to differentiate the sentence structures. Based on these findings the research recommended that; students should be encouraged to practice writing; e.g. writing diaries, compositions in order to be able to construct more accurate sentences, give students more practice on writing different types of sentences and sentence structures.