The efficacy of form-focused instruction on the syntactic accuracy of second language students of English at the University of Port Elizabeth

Abstract

This article explores whether a short one semester course in form-focused instruction helps improve the syntactic accuracy in the written work of second language students of English at the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE). The article describes research which combines quantitative and qualitative methodology. The collection of data and the statistical analysis of its results rely on quantitative methodology, while the rationale for its conception and framework rests on the application of a qualitative interpretation of the relevant literature on second language acquisition and error analysis. The results of the experimental group of advanced L2 English students who underwent a one semester course in form-focused instruction in English are compared to a control group.


South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.15(3) 2001: 102-110