An investigation into text quality in writing by Farsi learners of English

ABSTRACT: Various studies on L1 and TL usage were conducted for a number of different reasons. The aim of this study is to first, illustrate the quality of text in L1 and L2 separately based on two significant features of text linguistics (coherence and cohesion), and then compare the results to find out whether there is any relation between the level of text quality in first and second language. It is popularly believed that, having high proficiency in L1 and consequently ability to write in good quality can lead to be a mature user of TL specially in writing area. Of course, the study is conducted in an Eastern Mediterranean University as an English medium based university – and the participants were Iranian undergraduate students holding Persian language as their first language. Having observed the findings of the study it can be concluded that, participants in L1 texts do not reflect a significant percentage in either coherence or in cohesion features. Albeit participants wrote those texts in their L1, their texts were not distinguished as very cohesive and coherent texts by the L1 evaluators. This low average also confirms that Coherence and cohesion are serious and complicated process even in learners` native language.Surprisingly, it is observed that two participants who had the maximum and minimum average scores in the evaluation reflect similar educational and cultural background to a large extent. Therefore, it also can be claimed that cultural and educational background of participants did not affect their text quality. Keywords:First language L1, Foreign or Target language TL, Coherence and Cohesion in text, text quality, writing. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………