Assessment Of Urban Versus Rural High School Students’ Listening Competency In Efl Classes:The Case Of Goro And Benben Public High Schools Grade 10 Students

Abstract

The present study was carried with the purpose of assessing the listening competency of Grade 10 students from urban (Goro) High School and rural (Benben) High School to compare the possible differences that could be observed between them. Accordingly, two instruments of data collection, namely a test and interview were developed and administered to the participants: students and teachers at the target schools. The teachers were selected using non-probability sampling technique, whereas the students were selected using simple random sampling (Lottery System) from non-probability sampling category. For the purpose of analysis and interpretation, statistical tools such as measures of location, mean and variation, standard deviation were used in addition to use of percentage. A t-test was also used to test the significance of the difference between the groups of students on their listening competency level by using listening tests. The result of the study showed that the overall performance of the students was less than ‘Satisfactory’. Furthermore, Goro High School students showed better performance than Benben High School students did. The analysis of the interview, which was aimed for triangulation, also backed up the finding from the analysis of the test. However, this research was carried not on large population encompassing many urban and rural High Schools and as a result, generalization could not be made. Therefore, interested researchers and stakeholders in the field of education can do this and contribute to academic work in addition to solving the current problem of teaching and assessing of listening task. Besides, taking a larger sample and carrying out a comprehensive analysis will enhance the confidence to replicate or generalize a finding from a population to others of similar or related characteristics attractive. Therefore, this has to be investigated in depth. EFL teachers are also expected to design attractive and adequate listening texts that can better fit the needs of the students from rural areas. Therefore, teachers may use the same technique and output while teaching and assessing listening skill.