An Investigation of the practice and challenges of teaching reading skill: The case of Busa Secondary School in Southwestern Shoa

Abstract

This is a study meant to find out the practice and challenges of teaching reading skill in Busa Secondary School in Southwestern Shoa. The current study aimed to find out how teachers‘ practice the teaching of reading and challenges they face while teaching reading skill. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs with descriptive methods. With this intention student questionnaire, classroom observation, teacher interview were used to gather the required data. The study was conducted on 75 sampled students and their 7 English language teachers. Data from students‘ was analyzed quantitatively using tables of frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations. On the other hand, the data from the teachers‘ interview was also analyzed qualitatively or descriptively using emerging themes. Almost all of the units in the text contain post reading activities but, when reading texts are not suitable and relevant; teachers do not seem to fill such gaps. Even when they notice improper questions, they do not able to make adaptations or substitutions. These all show that teachers are more likely to depend only on tasks given in the text books. The findings of the study revealed that the students‘ make insufficient practice, they make improper reading practices, and they do not read extensively and poor reading habits.