The Grammatical Errors of the Students Learning the Chinese Langauge at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

Learning a second language is difficult and error making is inevitable. At first sight, it may seem rather odd to focus on what learners get wrong rather than on what they get right. However, there are good reasons for focusing on errors. First, errors are conspicuous features of learner  language; second, they are useful for teachers; third, paradoxically, it is possible that making errors may actually help learners to learn when they self-correct the errors they make. This study examines the errors students make in the learning of Chinese Language at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. In order to find out the errors committed by the students, students’ past examination scripts in pinyin and character writing and essay writing were the data used. The scripts were randomly selected and analysed. Findings from the analysis, it showed that the students commit grammatical errors and other errors. Mother tongue interference and inadequate exposure to the Chinese language environment were discovered to be the likely causes of the errors. At the end of the study,
conclusion was drawn.