Alaa Alahmadi
English Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 25732, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Saleem
English Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 25732, Saudi Arabia
This study investigates the use of transition words and phrases in the writing samples of premedical EFL learners enrolled in a preparatory English course at a university in Saudi Arabia. The study employed an empirical research design and mixed-methods research methodology to investigate the factors behind learners’ perplexity about the semantic contexts for using transition words in written English. Thirty male premedical EFL learners with B1 proficiency levels participated as subjects in the study. Learners’ comprehension of the context of the use of transition words was checked using tests. The test responses were cross-checked through a survey questionnaire. The results show that, in general, these learners are perplexed about the exact semantic connotations of transition words and the complexity in the transition of ideas from one sentence or paragraph to another. This may at times result in a loss of meaning, or a mismatch in the transition word and the context sentence the word is used in. The study’s findings suggest that Saudi pre-university EFL learners use transition words and phrases incorrectly or unnecessarily, and therefore, need intensive training in the use of transition words focused on semantic contexts to enhance their writing skills.
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Copyright © 2024 Alaa Alahmadi, Mohammad Saleem
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