Improving Second and Third Form Learners’ Awareness in The Use of English Tenses in Learners’ Inter Language: A Case Study of Bandundu Secondary Schools

Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on New Trends in Teaching and Education

Year: 2026

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Improving Second and Third Form Learners' Awareness in The Use of English Tenses in Learners' Inter Language: A Case Study of Bandundu Secondary Schools

Nzay Ngoshwa Maguy

ABSTRACT:

This research investigates problems of awareness in use of English tenses by 2nd and 3rd form learners’ interlanguage. The data have been collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations made in some local schools. The result has shown that there is really a problem to be solved with tenses in learners’ interlanguage.
To handle the issue under investigation, I used the simple random Sampling. This technique helped me to select each pupil participant as a representative of the population at School I, school 2, school 3, school 4, school 5 and school 6. Two sets of test (pre and posts-tests) were used to collect data from 90. That is to say 15 pupils per school. To collect the data from teachers, I used an interview. Among 18 teachers who consented to take part on the study, they were three teachers per school. The data where analyzed by statistical method (T-test) that was mainly concerned with showing the difference between the grades obtained by each pupil during the pre and the post-tests.
The analysis of the data revealed that for many reasons most pupils in those schools had difficulties in using tenses due to their interlanguage.
The findings revealed that the lack of qualified teachers of English, lack of motivation during English lessons especially on tenses as well as teachers’ lack of adequate teaching methods and techniques are on the base of learners’ unawareness. This implied that some remedies should be given even to improve their learning.
Also, these findings showed that the remedies given to the second group of pupils, allowed them to improve their use of times and aspects in learners’ acts.
As for remedies, the researcher proposes some strategies, methods and techniques. As for strategies, we may list:
Awareness-Raising Strategy as far as it helps learners notice how tense forms relate to time and meaning.
Error-as-Evidence Strategy because, here the learners will be using errors as learning data. Example: discussing why “I am studying English at ISP Bandundu since 2023” is an interlanguage form.

As for techniques, I propose
Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Learners complete meaningful tasks (stories, timelines, role-plays).
Learner-Centered Strategy because, here, learners actively discuss, choose, and justify tense use.

Keywords: Improving learners' inter-language, Awareness, Tenses