Spelling Error Analysis of Ghanaian Languages College of Education Students’ Essay

Abstract

Spelling errors in students’ writing have become a burden for teachers and examiners of the Ghanaian languages. Every year, Chief Examiners of the Ghanaian languages lament bitterly in their reports about the inaccuracies students make with regard to spelling in their examinations without clearly indicating the kind of errors they make. As a result, this study investigated the frequency and types of spelling errors students of Ghanaian languages at the Foso College of Education make in their essays. Forty-five students took part in the study that utilized a descriptive qualitative approach. The data came from students’ mid-semester examinations. The findings revealed that students’ most prevalent spelling errors included sound-based substitution, writing rule-based, omission, addition, transposition, and multiple errors. Teachers are encouraged to give ample time or pay more attention to phonology and the writing rules of the language when teaching spelling because they were the most frequent errors found.