Common Mistakes in Primary Year 6 English as Second Language (ESL) Pupils’ Sentence Construction Using Word-Phrase-Sentence (WPS) Pyramid Strategy

Abstract

Writing has been one of the difficult learning skills to be learnt in the English as Second Language (ESL) classrooms in Malaysia. Pupils in the sub-urban or rural areas tend to make some major mistakes in sentence construction due to the lack of exposure towards English Language as well as lack of interest and motivation in learning the language. This paper aimed to discuss on the common mistakes made by the ESL learners in their English Language writing specifically on their sentence construction. Pre and post-tests had been given to the participants of Primary 6 ESL pupils in one of the primary schools in Saratok, Sarawak. The pre and post tests were given before and after the teaching of sentence construction using Word-Phrase-Sentence (WPS) Pyramid strategy. The research had unveiled that the WPS Pyramid strategy had helped the pupils to improve their sentence construction ability in the ESL writing. The research is suggested to assist English Language teachers, ESL students and teacher trainees in the learning and teaching of English Language.