Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges in learning and teaching speaking in the English classrooms of Tullu Milki Preparatory School. The study was conducted to find out the challenges the students face while they are learning speaking skill, to investigate the causes of this challenges and to see what the students and teachers employ to solve this challenges. To achieve the purpose of the study a descriptive case study research design that includes qualitative and quantitative approach were used. For this 42 grade 12 students and 6 English language teachers were involved. The students were selected using random sampling technique whereas; the teachers were selected by using available sampling technique. The instruments used to collect the data were questionnaires, interviews and classroom observation. The data were analyzed by using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods. Quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and qualitative data were interpreted, summarized and added to the quantitative data to support the data. Finally,the data were integrated to create the holistic picture of the study. The result showed that the existence of problems related to students, such as poor back ground of speaking experience, fear of making mistake, anxiety, problems of motivation, problem of self-esteem, lack of confidence, shyness, lack of basic language skill, problems of listening, having limited vocabulary etc.The findings also revealed the problems related to teachers such as, teachers beliefs about language learning and teaching, teachers methodology of teaching. The study also related with instructional materials like, lack of textbook etc. Because of findings, it was recommended that in order to improve the students speaking abilities above all, students have practice speaking English with their classmates inside and outside the classroom. The teachers teaching methodology should be changed from teacher-centered to student-centered. On the other hand, to enhance students’ speaking of English skill, both English teachers and students have to play their appropriate role.
