Problems Encountering Libyan EFL Leaners in Using Punctuation Marks in English

Abstract

This study was set out to investigate the problems encountering Libyan EFL learners in using punctuation marks in their writings. In so doing, the study used writing essays to collect the needed data. Twenty male and female students from the English Department at Sirte University participated in the study. The data was then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings revealed that the sorts of problems Libyan EFL learners have in using punctuations marks are of types: lack of use and misuse with 74% and 26 respectively. These problems were mainly attributed to the influence of the learners' mother tongue Arabic and the lack of knowledge of these marks due to the lack of emphasis on teaching them in Arabic and English textbooks. The study concludes with some pedagogical implications and suggestions for further research.