Past Tense Errors in the Written English Composition of Selected Secondary School Students in Pankshin LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the occurrence of past tense errors in the written compositions of Secondary School Students in Pankshin, Plateau State. Using error analysis as a framework, the research identifies tense errors as the most frequently occurring error relating to tense forms in English among secondary school students in Pankshin, Plateau State. The study employs a mixed method approach in analysing the data, these approaches are qualitative, quantitative and descriptive in nature, involving 300 students from six selected schools (two government-funded schools, two community-funded schools, and two private schools) in Pankshin Local Government Area, Plateau State. The students completed a written task titled “how I spent my last holiday”. The findings of the study reveal a predominance of past tense errors among others. The study concludes that explicit instruction on tense rules should be used, use of interactive and contextual grammar teaching methods be adopted.