SPEECH ERRORS IN WRITTEN TESTS OF THE FIRST‑YEAR STUDENTS

The paper focuses on typical mistakes in written speech made by first-year students learning a new register of their native language. Interpretation of the reasons for these ‘risk points’ in vocabulary and grammar characteristic of contemporary Russian speech is given. Mistakes in a written text can be different. Primary mistakes are caused by the lack of competence, while secondary mistakes result from author’s attempt to correct the text. The secondary mistakes often arise when the author thinks over different ways to express his/her idea. In this situation, mistakes are caused by the conflict of different formulations. The secondary mistakes are evidences of author’s high competence. Authors generally are able to correct these mistakes and find good variants to replace the wrong word or expression. One of the main tasks of the courses in Russian language is to encourage students to work with texts, look for the best formulations for their ideas.