Evaluating Capitalization Errors in Saudi Female students’ EFL writing at Bisha University

Abstract

English teaching – learning process in Saudi Arabia is often criticized for producing students with low proficiency. One of the most critical areas in which Saudi students demonstrate low proficiency is EFL composition which features low writing ability in content, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics. Capitalization in mechanics is a micro feature of English composition which demands using upper case and lower case in English letters according to the English language conventions. This study evaluates capitalization errors in Saudi female students " EFL writing. The study is conducted in the College of Applied Medical Sciences (for females), Bisha University at Al-Namas in Saudi Arabia. A mixed method of research design is used to collect the data from the real classroom of 20 Saudi female students in the form of assignments, classroom tests and examination copies. The study is supported by the observation of writing process of the students in the EFL classroom and interview of 10 students. Ellis " s procedure (1994 cited in Troike, 2006) has been used to describe and evaluate the errors of capitalization. The result reveals that capitalization errors constitute a significant area of errors in Saudi students " writing. In the composition of 12000 words by 20 students, 983 errors are committed across the 10 categories of capitalization. The study suggests that curriculum of English language in Saudi Arabia should implement new pedagogical techniques in capitalization teaching to develop mastery in the principle rules of capitalization and understanding of orthographic-linguistic-cultural conventions of English language. Introduction English language has a prestigious status in Saudi Arabia although it is not recognized as the second official language. Al-Seghayer (2012) states that article 50 of the educational policy in Saudi Arabia recommends that students should learn at least one foreign language. English is the main and sole foreign language taught in public and private schools, universities, and different industrial and government institutions. English is used as a medium of instruction in most of the university departments in areas such as science, medicine, engineering, allied health, and other technical subjects. Furthermore, the demand for recruiting and training additional Saudi EFL teachers, translators, and more qualified graduates for various jobs that require English proficiency has grown significantly. Discussing the present situation of English and attitudes of learners towards learning English among university students in Saudi Arabia, Alabbad & Gitsaki (2011) stated that Saudi Arabia is one of those EFL settings which need change in classroom teaching practices. The common belief among educators is that teaching English in Saudi Arabia is a fairly unsatisfactory process and students have negative attitudes toward the current EFL teaching method.