Exploring the Impact of Linguistic Interference on Syntactic Accuracy in Writing Errors Among Saudi EFL Learners

dc.contributor.advisorFennema, Bloom
dc.contributor.authorGHAZWANI, MOHAMMED
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-17T20:21:44Z
dc.date.issued2025-05
dc.description.abstractThis study investigates the syntactic challenges faced by Saudi EFL learners in academic writing, with a particular focus on how first language (L1) interference from Arabic affects writing accuracy. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzed 120 writing samples from first-year university students and collected survey responses from 59 EFL instructors across Saudi Arabia. A modified miscue analysis was used to categorize and quantify common syntactic errors, including misuse of articles, word order, auxiliary verbs, prepositions, and clause boundaries. Survey data revealed that instructors widely recognized the influence of Arabic structures on student writing, yet there was limited consensus on effective strategies to address these errors. Interestingly, teacher experience and qualifications showed minimal impact on perceptions of interference or preferred corrective practices. The findings highlight a consistent pattern of syntactic errors linked to L1 transfer and suggest a need for more targeted grammar instruction, teacher training in contrastive analysis, and curriculum adjustments that address interference explicitly. These insights aim to support more effective writing pedagogy and align teaching practices with national goals for English proficiency in higher education
dc.format.extent88
dc.identifier.citationGhazwani, Mohammed. (2025). Exploring the impact of linguistic interference on syntactic accuracy in writing errors among Saudi EFL learners (Master’s thesis, The University of Findlay).
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/75576
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Findlay
dc.subjectlinguistic interference
dc.subjectsyntactic accuracy
dc.subjectSaudi EFL learners
dc.subjectL1 transfer
dc.subjectwriting errors
dc.subjectmiscue analysis
dc.subjectcontrastive grammar
dc.subjectEFL instruction.
dc.subjectTESOL
dc.subjectSecond language acquisition
dc.titleExploring the Impact of Linguistic Interference on Syntactic Accuracy in Writing Errors Among Saudi EFL Learners
dc.typeThesis
sdl.degree.departmentCollege of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences/Graduate
sdl.degree.disciplineThis area covers research into English language teaching, second language acquisition, and the impact of first language (L1) on English writing skills, which are central to the thesis.
sdl.degree.grantorUniversity of Findlay
sdl.degree.nameMASTER OF TESOL & Applied Linguistics

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