VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Nguyễn Thị Diệu Huyền COORDINATING CONJUNCTION ERRORS IN WRITTEN ENGLISH MADE BY FIRST YEAR STUDENTS MAJORING IN ENGLISH AT A UNIVERSITY IN DONG NAI PROVINCE MA THESIS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE HO CHI MINH CITY, 2020 VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Nguyễn Thị Diệu Huyền COORDINATING CONJUNCTION ERRORS IN WRITTEN ENGLISH MADE BY FIRST YEAR STUDENTS MAJORING IN ENGLISH AT A UNIVERSITY IN DONG NAI PROVINCE Field: English Language Code: 8220201 Supervisor: Nguyễn Nhân Ái, Ph D HO CHI MINH CITY, 2020 DECLARATION I, Nguyễn Thị Diệu Huyền, hereby certify that this thesis, which is entitled “Coordination Conjunction Errors in Written English Made by First Year Students Majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province”, is the result of my own research in the fulfillment of requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts at Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Graduate Academy of Social Sciences The thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree to any university or institution This thesis is carried out without using any other author’ work except the information from references Author’s signature Nguyễn Thị Diệu Huyền Approved by SUPERVISOR Nguyễn Nhân Ái, Ph.D Date:… …………………….…… i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is not only my own effort but also the support and contribution from many individuals and organizations Firstly, I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Nguyễn Nhân Ái, Ph.D., for her detailed guidance, valuable comments and useful advice for my study Without her, this thesis is impossible Secondly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of my lecturers at Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Graduate Academy of Social Sciences for their valuable lectures during my MA course Thirdly, I wish to extend my special thanks to my colleagues and students at Dong Nai Technology University for all their support and contribution to this study Finally, millions of thanks go to my beloved family who has facilitated and encouraged me during my MA course ii ABSTRACT This study focuses on the analysis of errors in the use of English coordinating conjunctions in written English made by the first-year students majoring in English at Dong Nai Technology University with an aim to recommend some selected implications for better teaching of English coordinating conjunctions in particular and writing in general The analysis was based on the data collected from two tests: a multiple-choice test of using coordinating conjunctions and writing compositions on three topics given The tests were provided by 50 first year English-majored students at Dong Nai Technology University The most frequently used coordinating conjunction in students’ compositions was “And”, and the greatest frequency of errors occurred in the uses of “And”, too The study also discussed some causes of coordinating conjunction errors and some implications in teaching English coordinating conjunctions based on the findings iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii TABLE OF CONTENTS iv LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale 1.2 Aim(s) of the study 1.3 Research questions 1.4 Scope of the study 1.5 Significance of the study 1.6 Research methods 1.7 Structure of the study CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Theoretical background 2.1.1 An overview of coordinating conjunctions 2.1.1.1 Definitions of Coordinating conjunctions 2.1.1.2 Functions of Coordinating conjunctions 2.1.1.3 “Comma” with Coordinating conjunctions 10 2.1.2 An overview of writing 11 2.1.3 An overview of errors 12 2.1.3.1 The notions of errors in language learning 12 2.1.3.2 Distinction between errors and mistakes 13 2.1.3.3 Classifications of errors 14 2.1.3.4 Sources of errors 17 iv 2.1.4 An overview of error analysis 21 2.1.4.1 Definition of error analysis 21 2.1.4.2 Stages in error analysis 22 2.1.4.3 Significance of error analysis 23 2.1.4.4 Error correction and significance of error correction 24 2.2 Previous studies 26 2.3 Chapter summary 27 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28 3.1 Research questions 28 3.2 Setting of the study 28 3.3 Participants 30 3.4 Instruments of data collection 31 3.5 Data collection procedures 31 3.6 Data analysis procedure 32 3.7 Chapter summary 32 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 34 4.1 General evaluation of the students’ performance 34 4.2 Results and analysis from students’ multiple-choice tests 34 4.3 Results and analysis from students’ compositions 37 4.4 Chapter summary 56 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 58 5.1 Recapitulation 58 5.2 Concluding remarks 59 5.3 Implications 60 5.4 Limitations and suggestions for further study 63 v REFERENCES 65 APPENDIX 1: MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST I APPENDIX 2: KEY OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST III APPENDIX 3: WRITING COMPOSITION: TOPIC V APPENDIX 4: WRITING COMPOSITION: TOPIC VII APPENDIX 5: WRITING COMPOSITION: TOPIC IX vi LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1: Non-pass and pass students in multiple- choice tests 34 Table 2: Total number of correct and incorrect answers in multiple- choice tests 35 Table 3: Number of correct and incorrect answers of each of coordinating conjunctions 36 Table 4: Number of coordinating conjunctions used in compositions on topic 37 Table 5: Number of coordinating conjunctions used in compositions on topic 38 Table 6: Number of coordinating conjunctions used in compositions on topic 39 Table 7: Number of coordinating conjunctions used in compositions on three topics 40 Table 8: Students’ coordinating conjunction errors in compositions on topics 41 vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS DNTU: Dong Nai Technology University FFL: Faculty of Foreign Languages viii Rao, Z (2007) Training in Brainstorming and Developing Writing Skill ELT Journal, 61 (2) Reynolds, B (2011) The myth of fanboys: Coordination, commas, and college composition classes TESL Canada Journal, 29(1), 104-112 Richards, J C (1971) A non-contrastive approach to Error Analysis English Language Teaching Journal, 25, 204-219 Richard, J C (1974) Error analysis: Perspective on Second Language Acquisition Longman Group Limited Richard, J C (1992) A Non-contrastive Approach to Error Analysis In Richards, J C (Ed.), Error Analysis- Perspectives on Second Language Acquisition, Part four (pp 172-188) 11th ed Singapore: Longman Richards, J C., & Schmidt, R (2002) Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics Pearson Education Limited Richard, J C., & Rodgers, T S (1986) Approaches and Method in Language Teaching Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Richards, J C., & Sampson, G P (1974) The study of learner English In Richards, J C (ed ) Error Analysis: Perspectives on Second Language Acquisition, pp 3-18 Richards, J C., et al (1990) Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics London: Longman Sayah, L (2013) The role of conjunctions in EFL learners’ narrative development International Journal of Education and Research, 1(11), 133146 Setyawan, H (2013) Analysis of Students’ Errors in Using Correlative Conjunction in Their Writing Lampung: STBA Teknokrat Schills, E., & DeHan, P (1993) Characteristics of Sentence Length in Running Text Literacy and Linguistic Journal, (1), 20-26 68 Swan, M (1997) Practical English usage London: Oxford University Press Thomson, A J., & Martinet A V (1986) A Practical English Grammar 4th ed UK: Oxford University Press Tribble, C (1996) Writing Oxford: Oxford University Press White, E M (1985) Teaching and Assessing Writing San Francisco: Jossey- Bass 69 APPENDIX MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST Choose a suitable coordinating conjunction for each gap to complete the following sentences: Father to Son: You're thirty now Don't you think it's time that you settled down …… got married? a but b for c and d so Mary doesn’t like to drive, _ she takes the bus everywhere a and b for c yet d so I have been saving my money this year …………….next year I plan to take a long holiday in Europe a so b and c for d nor Are you busy this weekend ………… you have some free time? I need some help moving to my new house a or b and c but d nor We left very early this morning for our holiday……… there was still a traffic jam on the freeway a and b but c so d or That coat cannot be mine, ……………… it is too big for me a and b but c for d so This must not happen again, ……………… you will be dismissed a or b but c and d so c nor d for He is rich,……….he is not happy a and b yet The parents were horrified,…….they saw blood stains on the floor and no sign of their child a.so b but c for I d and 10 I prepared well in advance… I am confident that I will win this game a nor b and c so d or 11 I’m afraid of heights, _ I appreciate the view from the top of this building a and b yet c nor d or 12 Carol wanted to drive to Colorado, _ Bill insisted that they fly a and b or c but d so 13 Why don't you ring Sue………… find out what time she's coming over tonight? a and b so c for d or 14 Sharon hates to listen to rap music, _ will she tolerate heavy metal a but b nor c or d and 15 I like living in the city ………… my brother prefers living in the country a nor b or c and d but 16 I have to be on time, _ my boss will be annoyed if I’m late a and b nor c for d so 17 I have to go to work at six, _ I’m waking up at four a.but b nor c so d or 18 He tried hard,…… he did not succeed a so b and c yet d for 19 Is this seat already taken……… can I sit there? a or b and c so d but 20 Mary doesn’t like going fishing, ………does she like going swimming a but b and c nor II d so APPENDIX 2: KEY OF MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST Choose a suitable coordinating conjunction for each gap to complete the following sentences: Father to Son: You're thirty now Don't you think it's time that you settled down …… got married? a but b for c and d so Mary doesn’t like to drive, _ she takes the bus everywhere a and b for c yet d so I have been saving my money this year …………….next year I plan to take a long holiday in Europe a so b and c for d nor Are you busy this weekend ………… you have some free time? I need some help moving to my new house a or b and c but d nor We left very early this morning for our holiday……… there was still a traffic jam on the freeway a and b but c so d or That coat cannot be mine, ……………… it is too big for me a and b but c for d so This must not happen again, ……………… you will be dismissed a or b but c and d so c nor d for He is rich,……….he is not happy a and b yet The parents were horrified,…….they saw blood stains on the floor and no sign of their child a.so b but c for d and 10 I prepared well in advance… I am confident that I will win this game III a nor b and c so d or 11 I’m afraid of heights, _ I appreciate the view from the top of this building a and b yet c nor d or 12 Carol wanted to drive to Colorado, _ Bill insisted that they fly a and b or c but d so 13 Why don't you ring Sue………… find out what time she's coming over tonight? a and b so c for d or 14 Sharon hates to listen to rap music, _ will she tolerate heavy metal a but b nor c or d and 15 I like living in the city ………… my brother prefers living in the country a nor b or c and d but 16 I have to be on time, _ my boss will be annoyed if I’m late a and b nor c for d so 17 I have to go to work at six, _ I’m waking up at four a.but b nor c so d or 18 He tried hard,…… he did not succeed a so b and c yet d for 19 Is this seat already taken……… can I sit there? a or b and c so d but 20 Mary doesn’t like going fishing, ………does she like going swimming a but b and c nor IV d so APPENDIX 3: WRITING COMPOSITION TOPIC Full name: ………………………………………… Student’s code:…………………………………… The composition is used for my research into “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Your assistance in writing the composition is greatly appreciated You can be confident that your composition is for research purposes only and you will not be identified in any discussion of the data Bài viết sử dụng cho việc hoàn thành luận văn cao học có tựa đề “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Mong bạn vui lòng dành chút thời gian để viết đoạn văn theo yêu cầu Xin khẳng định rằng, không nêu danh bạn trường hợp Chân thành cám ơn! Task: Write a paragraph of about 100 words about your hobbies V VI APPENDIX 4: WRITING COMPOSITION: TOPIC Full name: ………………………………………… Student’s code:…………………………………… The composition is used for my research into “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Your assistance in writing the composition is greatly appreciated You can be confident that your composition is for research purposes only and you will not be identified in any discussion of the data Bài viết sử dụng cho việc hồn thành luận văn cao học có tựa đề “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Mong bạn vui lòng dành chút thời gian để viết đoạn văn theo yêu cầu Xin khẳng định rằng, không nêu danh bạn trường hợp Chân thành cám ơn! Task: Write a paragraph of about 100 words about your close friends VII VIII APPENDIX 5: WRITING COMPOSITION: TOPIC Full name: ………………………………………… Student’s code:…………………………………… The composition is used for my research into “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Your assistance in writing the composition is greatly appreciated You can be confident that your composition is for research purposes only and you will not be identified in any discussion of the data Bài viết sử dụng cho việc hoàn thành luận văn cao học có tựa đề “Coordination Conjunction Errors Made by First Year English students majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province” Mong bạn vui lòng dành chút thời gian để viết đoạn văn theo yêu cầu Xin khẳng định rằng, không nêu danh bạn trường hợp Chân thành cám ơn! Task: Write a paragraph of about 100 words about the importance of English IX X ... Made by First Year Students Majoring in English at a University in Dong Nai Province? ?? to investigate common coordinating conjunction errors in writings made by the first- year English- major students. ..VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Nguyễn Thị Diệu Huyền COORDINATING CONJUNCTION ERRORS IN WRITTEN ENGLISH MADE BY FIRST YEAR STUDENTS MAJORING IN ENGLISH AT A. .. course ii ABSTRACT This study focuses on the analysis of errors in the use of English coordinating conjunctions in written English made by the first- year students majoring in English at Dong Nai Technology