Investigating the Problems Encountered by Sudanese University Students in Linking Devices in English Writing

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating problems posed by the use of linking devices in academic writing of Sudanese university students. The descriptive analytic method was adopted in conducting the study. A questionnaire and test were chosen as tools for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed 30 experience teachers at faculty of language. Sudan University of science and technology- faculty of arts, university of Khartoum and Islamic Omdurman University. A test was given to first year at Sudan University of science and technology. The SPSS program (statistical package for social sciences) was used for data analysis. The statistical analysis for the results of questionnaire showed that all lecturers strongly agreed that EFL students at university commit all kinds of errors in using linking devices in academic writing. All lecturers strongly agreed that most frequents types of errors are due to linking ideas and information across sentences, misuse of ellipses, substitution, spilling word choice and lack of vocabulary. The statistical analysis of the test is reveled same problems by questionnaire. Based on the findings, the study recommended that EFL students should be exposed to language varieties through varies literary text, linking devices should be practice and if possible to the syllabus on linking devices should be added.