HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N o 2 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FACULTY TRAN THI MAI COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLES MADE BY THE STUDENTS IN GRADE ELEVEN AT MY LOC HIGH SCHOOL (GRADUATION PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH) Supervisor: PHI THI THO, B.A HANOI-2014 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to take this chance to express my greatest gratitude to Mrs. Phi Thi Tho, B.A., my supervisor for her invaluable support and careful guidance as well as encouragement, suggestions and advice throughout the process of writing this thesis. Besides, I would like to thank to the librarians of Hanoi Pedagogical University Number 2 who have helped me in the preparation and writing this thesis. I would like to express my thanks to my all beloved lectures that always motivated and suggested me to finish my thesis soon. Furthermore, I would like to thank all my friends who never stop encouraging me to finish my thesis. In addition, I want to express my special thanks to students in class 11at My Loc High School because of their support in the survey. Last but not least, I own a debt of gratitude to my beloved family, for their whole - hearted encouragement and endless support. ii ABSTRACT The indefinite articles “a/an” is a basic category in English grammar. It is considered as a part of speech (adjective) as it modifies a noun. However, not everybody can use the indefinite articles “a/an” in a correct way. In addition, the uses of the indefinite articles have not been dealt with in full and sometimes cause confusion to learners of English. As a result, students of English often make errors when they use the indefinite articles. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the uses of the indefinite articles so that students can avoid making errors in using the indefinite articles and propose solutions to the problem. Based on material analysis, results of conducting a survey and error analysis, the types of errors and causes have been found. Solutions to the problem have been suggested. iii STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP Title: Common errors in the use of the indefinite articles made by the students in grade eleven at My Loc High School (Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts in English) I certify that no part in this thesis has been copied from any other person‟s work without acknowledgement and that the thesis is originally written by me under the instructions from my supervisor. Date submitted: Student Tran Thi Mai Supervisor Phi Thi Tho iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement i Abstract ii Statement of authorship iii Table of contents iv PART ONE INTRODUCTION I. Rationale 1 II. Research presupposition 1 III. Research objectives 2 IV. Research scope 2 V. Research tasks 2 VI. Research methods 2 VII. Significance of the research work 3 VIII. Design of the research work 3 PART TWO DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND I.1 Literature review in brief 4 I.2 The articles 5 I.2.1 Definition 5 I.2.2 Classification 5 I.2.2.1 Definite article 5 I.2.2.2 Indefinite articles 5 I.3 The indefinite articles “a, an” 5 I.3.1 Definition 5 I.3.2 Functions 6 I.3.2.1 As an adjective 6 I.3.2.2 As a quantifier 6 I.3.2.3 As a determiner 6 v I.3.3 Uses 7 I.3.3.1 Using the indefinite articles with singular countable nouns and abstract nouns 7 I.3.3.1.1 To describe people and things with “a/an” + noun 7 I.3.3.1.2 To represent for a class or thing as whole 8 I.3.3.2 Using the indefinite articles in numbers, quantity and others . 8 I.3.3.3 Using the indefinite articles in some fixed expression 8 I.3.3.4 Some other uses 9 I.3.3.4.1 Using in exclamations 9 I.3.3.4.2 Using a or an with some illnesses 9 I.3.3.4.3 Using in the structure: To be so/as/too (a or an) + adjective + singular noun 9 I.3.3.4.4 Using after quite, such, many 10 CHAPTER TWO METHODOLOGY II.1 Survey 11 II.1.1 Purpose of the survey 11 II.1.2 Population of the survey 12 II.1.3 Type of the survey 12 II.1.4 Construction of the survey 12 II.1.5 Preparation of the survey 12 II.1.5.1 Test items 12 II.1.5.2 Arrangement of the test items 13 II.1.6 Administration of the try-out 13 II.1.6.1 Preparation of the try-out 13 II.1.6.2 Try-out 13 II.1.7 Method of data analysis 14 vi CHAPTER THREE THE RESULT III.1 Results of the survey 15 III.2 Common errors and analysis 16 III.2.1 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a/an” and the definite “the” 16 III.2.2 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and uncountable noun 17 III.2.3 Errors in the use of indefinite articles and zero article 18 III.2.4 Errors in the use of indefinite articles “a” and “an” 18 III.2.5 Errors in the use of indefinite articles and fixed expression 19 III.2.6 Errors in the use of indefinite articles in describing people and things 19 III.3 Suggested solutions and suggested exercise 20 III.3.1 Suggested solutions 20 III.3.2 Suggested exercises 21 PART THREE CONCLUSION Conclusion 25 Limitations and suggestions for further study 26 References 28 Survey questionnaire 29 Suggested exercises 34 1 PART ONE INTRODUCTION I. Rationale Many people choose English to learn as the second language. However, English is not easy to learn and learners sometimes have difficulties in learning it. English grammar is supposed to be complex and causes embarrassment to students. The indefinite articles is one of the language categories that student have to learn. Although the indefinite articles are not too difficult as the other categories, it makes students confused between the definite article “the”, the zero and the indefinite articles. Due to its various uses, it is assumed that there are many errors which may be made. In facts, many students confess that the indefinite articles are one of the biggest problems of English grammar and they often make errors in the use of the indefinite articles. In the future, I am going to be a teacher so I would like to make contribution to the English teaching in Vietnam. For the reason above, this study is conducted, which focuses on errors in the use of the indefinite articles among students of My Loc High School. Thus, the results of the survey helps me find errors that students make so that I can find reasons and solutions to make students understand well and exactly about the indefinite articles. II. Research presupposition Some questions are raised: 1. What kinds of errors in the use of the indefinite articles are made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014? 2. What are the causes of the errors in the use of the indefinite articles by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014? 3. What are the effective ways to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014? 2 III. Research objectives The study is aimed at the following goals: 1. To find out the main errors in the use of the indefinite articles made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014. 2. To find out the causes of the errors in the use of the indefinite articles by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014. 3. To offer some suggestions to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014 through a survey. IV. Research scope The general research area of this study is grammar. The phenomenon is focused on the errors in using the indefinite articles made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014. The population involved in the study is 100 students at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014. V. Research tasks The study involves the following tasks: 1. Studying the definition of the indefinite articles in English 2. Studying the functions and uses of the indefinite articles in English 3. Conducting a survey to find out error types and causes of the uses of the indefinite articles in English 4. Suggesting some solutions to minimize the students‟ errors VI. Research methods To achieve the objectives of the study, the following methods have been applied: 1. Collecting, reading and analyzing documents listed in the references 2. Consulting the supervisor, experienced teachers and students 3 3. Synthesizing theoretical materials on English grammar 4. Conducting test survey and analyzing the results VII. Significance of the research work. Learning English is not easy to everyone and making errors is unavoidable. Errors are sometimes predictable and sometimes unpredictable. It is, therefore, necessary for teachers to have better solutions to help students overcome the difficulties in the use of the indefinite articles “a, an”. This study is hoped provide the following: 1. Input for learners of English in order to have better understanding about the indefinite articles in English, especially at high school level 2. Input for learners in order to minimize their errors in using the indefinite articles 3. Input for teachers of English with information on errors types and solutions to the problem so that they can find good methods and techniques of teaching the indefinite articles VIII. Design of research work The research work has three main parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion. The part Development has three chapters. Chapter one is “Theoretical Background” consists of two sections. Section one presents literature review in brief and section two deals with the indefinite articles in English in definition, functions, usage. Chapter two is “Methodology about the indefinite articles “A, An””. It describes the research methods. Chapter three is “The Result” It is composed of three sections. Section one is the results of the survey. The second deals with error types and analysis error causes. The last one is solutions to the problems and suggested exercises on the indefinite articles “a, an”. [...]... in My Loc High School were noted as follows Table 1 Error Errors in the use of the indefinite articles % 1 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and the definite article 69 2 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and fixed expression 59 3 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and the zero article 53 4 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and uncountable noun 46 5 Errors in. .. and include them in the survey In this survey, possible errors were classified into following categories 1 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a, an” and the definite article the 2 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and uncountable noun 12 3 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles and zero article 4 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a” and “an” 5 Errors in the use. .. Errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a” and “an” 42 6 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles in describe people and 39 things 15 The specific percentage of these errors is given in the following chart: The bar chart indicates the common errors in the uses of the indefinite articles “a/an” made by the eleventh -grade students at My Loc High School It can be seen from the chart, the highest... students of English in grade 11 at My Loc High School often make errors in the use of the indefinite articles It can be seen from the survey that the highest percentage of error in the use of the indefinite articles and the definite article being compared account for 69% followed by using the indefinite articles and fixed expression which stand 59% The error relating to the use of the indefinite articles in. .. deep insight into the indefinite articles but also find out errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a and an” Due to framework of a thesis, to map out all mistakes made by students at high educational level is impossible Therefore, this thesis is only focus on common errors in the use of the indefinite articles made by the students of English in grade 11 at My Loc High School To find out the errors. .. percentage of errors is the one in the use of the indefinite articles and the definite articles, which accounted for 69% The lowest percentage of errors is one in the use of the indefinite articles in describing people and things, only 39% Hence, the percentage of students who made errors in the use of the indefinite and the definite article nearly doubled the percentage of students who made errors in the use. .. classification of and the uses of the indefinite articles In short, much research has been done on the indefinite articles but some of them pointed out errors in the uses of the indefinite articles In fact, there are far more errors that learners of English often make when they use the indefinite articles Therefore, it is essential to have a comprehensive study of common errors in the use of indefinite article... Common errors and analysis III.2.1 Errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a” and “an” and the definite article the The errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a” and “an” and the definite article the among the eleventh -grade students at My Loc High 16 School are the most common The errors of this type account for 69% Looking at the following example: Circle the correct answer: (a /the/ )... everything relating to the indefinite articles such as definition, function and the uses has been mentioned and classified Hopefully, students will have full look at this grammatical category Then a survey conducted with the aim of testing the student‟s understanding of the indefinite articles and finding their common errors in the use of the indefinite articles The outcome of the survey proves that the students. .. in the use of the indefinite articles in describing people and things The errors in the use of the indefinite articles and fixed expression, zero article, uncountable noun, between “a” and “an” are 59%, 53%, 46% and 42% respectively Overall, the results obviously showed that there are many errors in the use of the indefinite articles “a and an” that the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School encountered . What kinds of errors in the use of the indefinite articles are made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014? 2. What are the causes of the errors in. the indefinite articles made by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014. 2. To find out the causes of the errors in the use of the indefinite articles. the use of the indefinite articles by the students in grade 11 at My Loc High School in the academic year of 2013/2014? 3. What are the effective ways to minimize the errors made by the students