Abstract:

Syntactic error is the major cause of failure at graduation level in government colleges of Pakistan. The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature to find out reasons behind compositional incompetence. Grammar comprehension is very important for the organization of knowledge. Learners become aware of the functions of language through grammar knowledge, thus compositional competence depends upon the grammatical knowledge. This article approaches compositional competence from two perspectives of grammar teaching: Traditional method based upon GTM and Transformational Generative Grammar by Chomsky. The sample for the intended study is 6 BSc students of 4th year. The sample has been purposefully selected as their teacher has been giving them practice according to the recursive principle of Chomsky‟s Transformational Generative Grammar and Krashen‟s affective filter hypothesis. Data is collected through an open-ended interview and is analyzed thematically. In the end, suggestions are given for the effective teaching methodology for the development of cognitive operationalization.

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