Pre-Intermediate EFL Learners: Problems in Transactional Letters

This assignment delves into the challenges encountered by pre-intermediate EFL learners when writing transactional letters, specifically focusing on 'asking and giving information' letters. It identifies five key problems: first language influence, contrastive rhetoric, knowledge transformation, cultural influence, and translation difficulties. The assignment provides examples of how these issues manifest in writing, such as incorrect word usage and cultural misunderstandings. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these challenges to effectively support EFL learners in improving their writing skills. This resource is available on Desklib, where students can find similar assignments and past papers.

Problems encountered by EFL learners
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1. Writing in the first language
Pre-Intermediate EFL Learners will have first language influence challenge. Some
phrases in their writing will be direct from their first language (Yang, 2017). For example some
phrases like stating James and myself instead of saying James and me. This is the influence of
the first language since we simply say it normal first language speech.
2. Contrastive Rhetoric
Pre-Intermediate EFL Learners especially the Arabic learners will find some challenges
in a rhetorical pattern of language (Ringbom, 2007). They will add native language pattern of
words in most of their sentences. For example, selection of different devices to present
information or establishment ideas and to show central part of the idea as opposed to the other.
the EFL learner will state eg. to justify my argument in this letter i read all the information from
novel writer by certain author. This will definitely define that the information he/she is giving in
the letter are from another artist but not the writer.
3. Knowledge transforming challenges
Pre-Intermediate EFL Learners will have some challenges in transforming some words
and their meaning from their first language to English (Ringbom, 2007). For example, confusing
when to use 'but' and 'and'. Eg “I want all these changes to be made and I am afraid if every
member will agree" instead of "I want all these changes to be made but I am afraid if every
member will agree".
4. Culture influence in their writing

According to Ringbom (2007), language and culture are intertwined. The EFL learner
exposed to English terminologies will find it pathetic. The learner will be focusing on writer's
cultural in word choice affecting their writing ability to the letter, For example, when your asked
which is best culture according to personal perspective the EFL learner may respond by
justifying their culture the best forgetting all culture all best based on who is using them and their
influence.
5. Translation of English words challenges
Writing challenges arise multiple translations are possible for a given word in English. It
will be very challenges for the EFL learner to know exactly which word to use. For example,
when writer is asked some questions let’s say regarding best terms to use in a certain institution
the writer may focus on some words from their first language e.g. Cualquier in Spain which
mean different in English language. In this case the information will be totally different from
original one (Yang, 2017).

References
Ringbom, H. (2007). The cross-linguistic similarity in foreign language learning (Vol. 21).
Multilingual Matters.
Yang, N. D. (2017). The relationship between EFL learners' beliefs and learning strategy use.
System, 27(4), 515-535