The Dilemma of Utilising the Present Perfect Tense in English Writing by Arab English Learners

Abstract

This study diagnoses the challenges of foreign language learners in using the present perfect tense when writing in English. Most foreign language learners fail to correctly write sentences using the present perfect tense and substitute it with the past tense. The researchers suggest an instructional program based on steps for teachers to solve the problem of the present perfect tense. The study sample is twenty students in the seventh grade in one of the government schools for girls. The researchers asked the participants to write sentences using the present perfect tense. After analysing students' sentences, the researchers detected many incorrect cases of using of the present perfect tense and highlighted the incorrect usage for discussion. The results show that most errors stemmed from Arabic words interfering with English. The present perfect tense presents more significant challenges for Arab students than the simple past tense. The study showed that students' native language influences English grammatical structure use. These results have significant implications for how the mother language affects EFL classrooms. The results also reflect the students’ misunderstanding of the meaning of the present perfect since they are unfamiliar with the function of the present tense. Finally, teachers are part of the problem because they follow the traditional grammar teaching method, which focuses on structure rather than function. The researchers suggest a series of recommendations based on the study's findings.