Causes of Spelling Errors among Sindhi ESL Learners at a Public Sector University of Pakistan

Kaneez Fatima (MS Scholar) & Shoukat Ali Lohar (Assistant Professor),

English Language Development Centre, Faculty of Science, Technology and Humanities, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan

Learning a language is an arduous, rigorous and challenging task. Thus, the learners of language face varying difficulties in numerous phases of language learning. Spellings are reflected to be prerequisite and a starting point for leaning of any language. This study aimes to investigate the causes of spelling problems of Sindhi ESL (English as Second Language) learners at University of Sindh, Jamshoro. For this purpose, qualitative study was adopted. Qualitative study allowed to collect data in more depth.  The current study is conducted among Sindhi ESL (English as Second Language) learners at the university of Sindh, Jamshoro. Three group interviews were conducted from 15 participants. Ten participants were sindhi ESL learners in the department of English language and literature university of Sindh, jamshoro and 5 participants were lecturers from the same department. Pilot data was also one of the important phases of this research study. Pilot data was collected to know the accuracy of the interviews. Results highlighted multiple causes of the spelling errors among Sindhi ESL learners.1- Main cause is the interference of mother tongue; 2- Teachers are not well trained at primary level; 3-Syllabus is not designed according to the needs of the learners. Conclusively, it is hoped that policy makers should revisit its policies for the better future of Sindhi ESL learners.

Keywords: English as Second Language (ESL), Sindhi Learners, Spelling Errors, L1 Interference, Qualitative Research

The above abstract is a part of the article which was accepted at The Sixth International Conference on Languages, Linguistics, Translation and Literature (WWW.LLLD.IR), 9-10 October 2021, Ahwaz.


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