Article errors in the English writing of Chinese EFL undergraduates at IIUM

Abdul Rahim, Nor Elena and Zhou, Jia (2026) Article errors in the English writing of Chinese EFL undergraduates at IIUM. International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 8 (4). pp. 103-115. E-ISSN 2682-8138

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Abstract

This study investigates article errors in the English writing of Chinese undergraduates at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Determiners, particularly articles, remain a persistent source of difficulty for EFL learners whose first language lacks an article system. Guided by the Surface Strategy Taxonomy (Dulay, Burt, & Krashen, 1982), the research examined omission, substitution, and addition errors in a corpus of 35 student essays. Students wrote personal narratives, and their writing was analysed for error types, frequency, and causes. The findings revealed that omission errors were most common, especially with the definite article the, followed by substitution and addition. These patterns reflect the influence of Mandarin, which lacks articles, as well as limited exposure to English and instructional gaps in EFL curricula. The study shows that cross‑linguistic transfer and insufficient pedagogical emphasis contribute to persistent article errors. By situating the results within broader research on error analysis and second language acquisition, this study offers practical insights for teachers, curriculum designers, and materials developers. It recommends clear instruction, real English input and feedback to help students use the articles correctly and write more clearly.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Error Analysis, Article Errors, EFL Learners, Academic Writing, Surface Strategy Taxonomy
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) P Language and Literature > PE English
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of English Language & Literature
Depositing User:	Dr Nor Elena A. Rahim
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2026 15:45
Last Update:	16 Jul 2026 15:45
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4007
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129840

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