Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore factors that affected students’ reading
comprehension at secondary schools with a special focus on grade nine students in Chercher
High School. The study employed descriptive research design having quantitative and
qualitative methods. Based on the research design, systematic random sampling and
available sampling techniques were used. The study involved 60 students and 4 (four) English
teachers. To collect the required data, questionnaire having Likert Scale of five items was
used for students and semi-structured interview was used for teachers. In addition, classroom
observation was carried out into 3 (three) sampled reading lessons. Descriptive statistics,
such as, frequency and percentage were used for data analyses. The finding of the study
revealed that teachers did not conduct the pre and while reading lessons properly and did not
try to assist and train students to use reading and vocabulary learning strategies. The finding
also revealed that the students had poor English background knowledge and could not use of
vocabulary learning and reading strategies. Besides, the finding revealed that the reading
materials contained in the course book lacked authenticity.The study recommended that
English teachers should employ the methods required to teach the reading skill and to assist
students. It was also recommended that students should make plans to study and to prepare
for the reading lesson.
