INVESTIGATION INTO PROBLEMS OF GERUNDS AMONG ESL STUDENTS OF ENGLISH

¹Innocent N. Dajang, ²Pamela Pam, ³Abubakar Toro

ABSTRACT

Gerunds, which are verbs functioning as nouns, often pose significant challenges for English language learners. This paper explores the specific difficulties faced by 200 level students of English at the University of Jos, particularly focusing on their understanding, interpretation, and correct usage of gerunds. The research identifies both cognitive and linguistic obstacles that contribute to these challenges, employing qualitative methodologies to gather data from students and educators. Findings reveal common misconceptions, such as conflating gerunds with present participles or misunderstanding their syntactic roles within sentences. The study also highlights the impact of instructional strategies and curriculum design on students’ mastery of gerunds. This research aims to provide insights into pedagogical approaches that can enhance the comprehension and application of gerunds among students, ultimately contributing to their overall language proficiency. Recommendations are made for tailored instructional methods that emphasize the functional aspects of gerunds, engage students in active learning, and incorporate multimedia resources. It is anticipated that with improved understanding and practice, students will demonstrate greater efficacy in their use of gerunds, thereby facilitating better communication skills in English.

Keywords: Communication, challenges, English, gerunds, sentences.