A Mixed Method Study on English Spelling Errors Committed by Undergraduate Students at Sanghar

Abstract

This study investigated the major English spelling errors committed by undergraduate students of SBBU, Sanghar Campus. The university students face spelling problems and get undesired marks in exams. With the help of Cook’s (1999) classification of English spelling errors, the study identifies substitution, omission, transposition and insertion errors committed by students. The present study aims to know the types of English spelling errors committed by university students and the effective strategies to overcome such errors. For conducting this research, the mixed method was adopted and the data was collected from 100 students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sanghar Campus. Students were requested to write an essay of 200 words on their favorite topic and also dictation test was conducted later spelling errors were detected and differentiated into the types of spelling errors. Moreover, Five English language teachers were interviewed to know the effective strategies to overcome spelling errors. The quantitative data was analyzed by Cooks classification and the qualitative data was analyzed by thematic process. The findings indicated that mostly university students at Sanghar committed omission and substitution errors. They need techniques and awareness about spellings errors that can greatly impact their quality writing. Teachers suggest that by using mnemonics, chunking, usage of good dictionary, and conscious reading and writing can improve spelling errors. The study recommended that frequent feedback by teachers and awareness about spelling rules can overcome English spelling errors.