Negative and positive transfer in learning English sentence patterns by Iraqi University students of English

الملخص EN

This paper aims at investigating the performance of the Arab students in the Department of English, College of Education, University of Mosul in handling the English sentence patterns and the influence of their mother tongue in this regard.

A number of sentences written by those students are studied, analyzed, and discussed in two tests; guided and non-guided.

It is noted that good knowledge in sentence patterns in Arabic and English helps students to transfer positively.

Depending on the results obtained, recommendations are given to help the process of teaching English sentence patterns.