An Investigation into Coherence and Cohesion in Sudanese EFL Learners’ Writing. A case Study of Three Sudanese Universities

Abstract

This study aims at investigating coherence and cohesion in Sudanese EFL learners' writing. The researcher used the descriptive and analytical method quantitively and qualitatively in her research design. It is a descriptive and an analytical study. The researcher used two tests: an objective test and an essay written test. The validity and reliability of these tests were confirmed by different methods as will be shown in (3.2.1&3.2.2). The researcher conducted her tests in three different Sudanese universities. The sample of the study consisted of hundred Sudanese students in three Sudanese universities. All the subjects were majoring in English at the third and fourth year level. The data were analyzed by using the statistical program (SPSS),then there was a textual analysis of the subjects' written texts. The data analysis showed that, there is a weakness in Sudanese Students' written work due to their ignorance of coherence and cohesion. Moreover, university students do not use cohesive devices appropriately. Also the study revealed that there is no significant difference in the achievement of the students of the three universities of the study. At the end of the study the researcher presented some recommendations concerning the instructors and syllabus designers. These recommendations focused on paying attention to the questions of (coherence & cohesion) when teaching or designing syllabuses . At the end the researcher suggested some topics in the same area for further study.