A study of simple past tense error and its source in form two students written compositions

The learning of English grammar, especially the tenses has been recognized as a problem area to ESL learners. Learners produce numerous errors in receptive and productive skills of the English Language. This study examined the categories, types and sources of simple past tense errors made by 30 form two students from Sekolah Menengah Raja Muda Musa, Teluk Intan, Perak. The rationale for this study was to help the researcher to extend knowledge about simple past tense error and its sources. The instruments were two sets of compositions. The errors have been classified under two categories, interlingual and intralingual. The findings of this study indicate that respondents produced three types of errors, namely misinformation, addition and omission. The most frequent were errors caused by intralingual interference. Besides that, this study also indicate the sources of errors which are mother tongue interference, over generalization and rule restriction or wrong application of rule. The researcher has focussed on SLA theory which relates how L2 learners acquire grammatical sub-system such as past tense. Several teaching approaches and strategies are recommended for example the integrated approach to teach simple past tense, focussed grammar practices and direct method at the end of this study to enhance the teaching and learning process of simple past tense.