This study investigated English spelling errors made by first year students of Dongola University,
including both vowel and consonant errors. This study was based on the assumption that the first
year university students have a weakness in English spelling. The researcher carried out this study
to discover the factors behind these problems. Unawareness of spelling rules and sound problems
might be the cause. To deal with English spelling errors, two spelling tests (pre-and postintervention)
were administrated to two hundred students in two different faculties (Arts and
Education), at Dongola University. The student’s native language is Arabic, they have been studying
English as the University requirement courses not specialized. Sampling procedure was taken from
two different settings. A hundred first year students from the Faculty of Arts and another hundred
students from the Faculty of Education. At the beginning, the pre- intervention test was given to the
students in both faculties, during their first term of university without any explanations of spelling
rules or English sounds. After the pre-test, the students in these faculties were taught a model
spelling syllabus which was designed by the researcher for this purpose. After two months the
students were given the post- intervention spelling test in their second term of university. Based on
the test results, the main findings of the study were that spelling errors were noticeable in vowels,
which were particularly poor. Students face difficulties with English sounds that do not exist in
Arabic. Also, the study indicates that overgeneralization of spelling rules is a causative factor for the
spelling errors committed. Based on an analysis of the results, it is recommended that a possible
solution for the spelling problem involves teaching correct pronunciation, basic spelling rules and
reminding the students of the exceptions to English spelling rules. Students should have a good
grasp of these skills before reaching the secondary educational level. Thus, it is necessary to focus
on spelling rules and English sounds in primary education.
Keywords: EFL, Spine (Sudan Practical Integrated National English), Series of Practical Courses in all