ASSESSING FACTORS AFFECTING THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING READING SKILLS IN ENGLISHCLASSES: THE CASE OF GRADE 10 STUDENTS AT SHEKIB ABDULAHI SECONDARY SCHOOL, HARAR

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting the practice of teaching reading skills in English classes. In this research descriptive case study research design was used with the mixed research method, quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Thus, all three English teachers of the target school were comprehensively taken as source of data along with 48 students who were selected in sampling technique out of 303 grade ten students. Questionnaire, semi--structure interview and classroom observation were used to collect relevant data and employed from the respondents. The questionnaire was the principal tool and interview and classroom observation were the supporting tools that helped in the triangulation of data collected. This in turn enhanced the validity of the research. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. As to the findings, the study illustrated that English teachers have good understanding of the importance of practice of teaching reading skills, but they encountered difficulties in implementing those strategies. Hence, the result from the investigation showed students' very poor background knowledge, lack of interest and motivation, lack adequate vocabularies, teachers' application of reading techniques and teachers' willingness to support learners reading competency in practicing daily class and large class size were found as the main challenges. Moreover, shortage of time or the period that allocated is not enough to apply different strategies, students' lack of experience and training how to read quickly and effectively. Finally, recommendations and conclusions were given on the findings of the study. For instance, Teachers should encourage and motivate their students to read and developed the habit of reading, then, make reading become cultured. By the side of students, they should be made to love reading because, may it will be their life.