Analysis of Written Discourse Errors Committed by Iraqi EFL Learners

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to analyze the written discourse errors committed by Iraqi EFL learners and to suggest error remedies. Twenty essays written by the University of Anbar students - Department of English – 3rd stage, have been selected to show errors. To this end, the study adopted Corder's 1974 steps of error analysis. The conclusions showed that the written discourse errors are committed because of the difficulties of learning English as a foreign language and the interference between the tongue language and acquired one. The recurrence of errors reveals that the Iraqi EFL learners committed lexical and syntactic errors much more than other types of errors.