An evaluation of the writing competencies of 3rd year students of bachelor of business management at Namibia University of Science and Technology

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dc.contributor.authorMutonga, Beatrice Miyaze
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-07T08:48:52Z
dc.date.available2022-06-07T08:48:52Z
dc.date.issued2022-06-07
dc.descriptionTHESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS AT NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPERVISOR: PROF HAILELEUL ZELEKE WOLDEMARIAMen_US
dc.description.abstractThis study evaluated the writing competencies of 3rd-year students of Bachelor of Business Management at Namibia University Science and Technology. The rationale behind the study was to generate an understanding of the elements students find challenging when they engage in academic writing at the same time assessing their writing competencies and finding out what is lacking in their writing skills and whether there is a gap between their writing competency and what is expected of them in their professional world. The relevance of mastering the academic writing competency is crucial in the sense that the same skill is required when in the world of work. These students are not only required to write in class, but the skills should be able to assist them when they are employed in different organisations. To accomplish this aim, the study used a mixed-method research design. A total study population of NUST students (N1 = 80) and bank employees (N2 = 60) was used. The sample size was derived from the Krejcie and Morgan, (1970) sample size determination table and hence, the sample from NUST students (S1 = 70) and bank employees (s2 = 50). The study used a sample size of 70 students which translates to a purposive sampling procedure which is an alternative sampling technique of non-probability sampling. This procedure is more operational for the reason that it is an inherent bias method and stays robust even when tested with other control groups. The research tools used were a writing competency test and questionnaires. The study findings revealed that students find it difficult when they are given writing activities both at university and at work. The following are some of the major errors committed by students: inappropriate use of tenses, unable to use the correct essay structure, lack of punctuation, lack of coherence, inappropriate sentence formation, unable to use discourse markers and unable to comprehend the essay question. The study findings collected from the banking indicates that they value all the language skills, but the writing skill is rated higher since they are engaged in a lot of writing. Also, the study revealed that a high number of business studies graduates are employed in the banking sector. Therefore, it indicates that there is a gap between what is taught at university and the writing needs expected in the world of work. Therefore, the study recommends that NUST must consider developing an ESP (English for Specific Purposes) course for Business Studies students. This ESP course must be specifically related to their programme of study only.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMutonga, B. M. (2022). An evaluation of the writing competencies of 3rd year students of bachelor of business management at Namibia University of Science and Technology [Master's thesis: Namibia University of Science and Technology].en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir.nust.na:8080/jspui/handle/10628/887
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherNamibia University of Science and Technologyen_US
dc.subjectNamibiaen_US
dc.subjectEnglish for specific purposesen_US
dc.subjectwriting competenciesen_US
dc.subjectwriting techniquesen_US
dc.subjectneeds analysisen_US
dc.subjectbusiness studentsen_US
dc.subjecttarget needsen_US
dc.titleAn evaluation of the writing competencies of 3rd year students of bachelor of business management at Namibia University of Science and Technologyen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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