Kurdish EFL Learners’ Spelling Error Types and Sources

Abstract

Abstract The current study investigates the types and sources of spelling errors of Kurdish EFL learners. To this end, 82 argumentative articles written by university-level students were analyzed to identify the spelling errors. The process of classification and identification of the error type in the research was based on Cook’s (1997) familiar categories of errors. The results obtained showed that the type of errors were omission, insertion, substitution, transposition, space accuracy and capitalization. Those errors were originated from various sources among which instructional, overgeneralization and pure were prominent. It was also concluded that letter/sound correspondence creates problem for the learners. Interpretation of the results implies that pedagogical decision and further research is required in the learning context of Kurdish EFL learners.