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of using English, and how to implement suitable approach to teach EFL students dealing with English communicative competence mastery. Meanwhile, for
Indonesian students in general, this research was conducted to give broad discussion that learning English as a foreign language nowadays is considered
important as part of communication. Therefore, it is good to know about the types of errors, the characteristics, and sources of errors to minimize the frequency of
the similar errors in the future.
F. Definition of Terms
In order to minimize the ambiguity and avoid the hazy interpretation of the terms or concepts used in the research, and to give the clear boundaries of the
discussion of the research, the researcher provides the definition of the terms used in the research.
1. Errors
Errors are the condition where flawed side of learners appears whether in their speech or writing. Errors, mostly, are caused by lack mastery of target
language’s rules. However, errors are very common mistakes made by any language learners since people cannot learn language without committing any
errors Dulay, Burt, Krashen, 1982.
2. Mistakes
Unlike errors, mistakes according to Corder 1967 as cited in Freeman and Long 1983 are defined as random performance slips which are caused by
non-intelligence factor such as fatigue, excitement, less concentration, and so on. Thus, the learners still can be readily self-corrected.
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3. Interrogative Word Questions
According to Svartvik and Leech 1975, interrogatives are words which introduce interrogative word questions and interrogative sub-clauses like found in
relative clauses. Interrogative words include
what, who, where, when, why, which, whom, whose
, and
how
. Based on the definition of interrogative words, Svartvik and Leech 1975 propose a theory that interrogative word questions are questions
which begin with an interrogative word then some of them are followed by auxiliary verbs like
do, did, can, will, to be,
and so on.
4. Mathematics Education Students of Sanata Dharma University Batch
2010
Mathematics Education students of Sanata Dharma University batch 2010, which in this research are simply called students of PMat 2010, are students who
are learning about how to become Mathematics teachers. Since their focus is on Mathematics, they do not merely use English daily. However, as students of
Sanata Dharma University, it is required for them to generally learn English. They learn English through the English lessons which are offered in the second and
third semester. Additionally, in the fifth semester they are offered to join an English
course to prepare them to pass an English test of communicative competence held by Lembaga Bahasa. The English test itself is an obligatory requirement for their
graduation. Considering that condition, it can be said that students of PMat 2010 are considered English foreign language learners. According to the observation
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conducted by their English trainers, students of PMat 2010 are classified as EFL students of beginner to elementary level.
5. English Course Held in the Odd Semester of 20122013 Academic
