An Error Analysis On English Writings Of High School Students

As a foreign language learner, it is inevitable to make various errors in the process of learning TL. Thereinto, the errors occurring in the English writings deserve our special attention, because the students not only erroneously utilize some grammatical forms and lexical expressions, but also make some errors related to logical linkings, thought patterns of language, and cultural differences, etc. The dissertation categorizes the errors and analyzes their causes, so that the results will help the teachers and students have a better understanding of the errors, and optimize the learning and teaching process through the corresponding pedagogical solutions.This dissertation is based on the errors made by 50 High School students in their English writings. Under the guidance of the theories of EA, IL as well as some related previous studies, and in the procedure of error analysis, the investigation classifies students’ writing errors and analyzes the causes of the errors, and finally, puts forward some corresponding pedagogical solutions to them.The main finding of the research is that the students’errors are mostly lexical errors due to the lack of vocabulary capacities and the nonproficiency of using vocabulary. In addition, the grammatical errors also stand out in their writings, because they are also confused by some grammatical forms.According to the result of EA, the main causes of the errors can be categorized into interlingual error and intralingual error. Interlingual error, mostly occurring in the beginning stages of SLA, is influenced by the negative transfer of MT; while intralingual error, mostly occurring in the intermediate or advanced stages, is mainly influenced by the negative transfer of TL. In addition, exam-oriented education and the lack of practice also have some negative effects. Thus, either interlingual and intralingual errors or the other causes hinder the improvements of students’ language proficiencies and writing competences.Finally, some corresponding pedagogical solutions to correct and avoid the errors are put forward in accordance with the causes. Besides, the teachers should not only pay attention to the correction of the errors, but also give students more opportunities to practice and express themselves in English, because SL writing has a high requirement to the students’ integrated abilities. Hopefully, the investigation can do some favors to the practical English writing teaching.