Tense Errors among Secondary School Students in Selected Secondary Schools in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State

Abstract

This study examined tense errors among secondary school students in selected secondary schools in Abakiliki, Ebonyi state. The study was carried out to determine the significant effects of tense errors on secondary school students. The researcher employed survey research design and the questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. Based on data analysis, the findings revealed that most students make errors as they communicate in English, spelling errors are made when communicating with English, tense error negatively affects students’ performance in English, tense errors hinder the development of good vocabulary among secondary school students, tense errors negatively affect students’ social communication in secondary school, and tense errors are prevalent in written English among secondary school students. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers can help their students improve their level of language competency in the use of present perfect tense by encouraging them to participate in as many activities as possible. More so, teachers of Senior Secondary Schools students should not dominate the classroom activities but allow the learners’ considerable chance to improve their usage of present perfect tense.