Error analysis of Arab EFL learners’ use of English articles in four semantic contexts [±SR, ±HK]

Abstract

The English article system (the, a(n), and the zero article Ø) is one of the most challenging but crucial aspects of EFL learners' English language acquisition. The purpose of this study is to investigate the types of errors that Arab EFL learners produce in their acquisition of the English article system based on Bickerton’s (1981) Semantic Wheel Model which focuses on the features ±Specific Referent (±SR) and ±Assumed Known to the Hearer (±HK). The study involved 39 Arab EFL learners drawn from three proficiency groups and participated in an article cloze test. Six types of errors committed by Arab EFL learners are identified in [±SR, ±HK] contexts. These errors are (1) deletion of the indefinite article, (2) substitution of the indefinite for the definite article, (3) substitution of the definite for the indefinite article, (4) use of the indefinite article with unmarked plurals, (5) use of the indefinite article with uncountable nouns, and (6) the use of the indefinite article with adjectives. The comparison of accuracy in article use for these contexts showed that [+SR, ?HK] and [?SR, +HK] were the most difficult contexts for Arab EFL learners to acquire. Based on the finding some practical implications were proposed, which might assist EFL learners and teachers with some practicable suggestions and teaching instructions.