EXPLORING FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS READING COMPREHENSION AT CHERCHER SECONDARY SCHOOL: GRADE NINE IN FOCUS

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