Résumé:
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners need to possess sufficient collocational
competence to achieve a high level of writing proficiency. It is proved that EFL learners face a
variety of problems that make their writing not proficient. The current research aims to
investigate the use of lexical collocation in academic writing of Master One students at
Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahia University; more specifically, it attempts to determine both the
frequency and correctness of students’ collocation use. To reach this aim, the researchers used
content analysis to collect data. That is, the analysis of 20 out of 140 Master One exam copies.
The results showed that students use lexical collocation to a large extent. In addition, it was
found that students have the tendency of using verb + noun and adjective + noun collocations
more than other types. With regard to collocational errors, it is noted that adjective + noun and
verb+ noun are the most problematic. Moreover, it was revealed that the lack of collocational
knowledge and the interference of the students’ first language are the main reasons behind
students’misuse of collocations in writing. Consequently, the current study suggests the need for
an explicit and systematic teaching of this linguistic aspect of English language
