Browsing by Author "Hailu, Alemu (Phd)"

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    An Analysis of the Speaking Tasks: The Case of Grade 12 English Textbook
    (AAU, 2011-05) Hajj-Ismael, Abdulatif; Hailu, Alemu (Phd)
    The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the extent to which the speaking tasks (activities) in the currently in use Grade 12 English textbook were well structured and organized in such a way that they could promote speaking skills. To this end, the speaking tasks were identified and analyzed based on the basic components of communicative tasks as well as the evaluatjon check ist for ommunicative tasks suggested by Nunan (1989). Textbook analysis (content analysis) was used as a major instrument to obtain information regarding how appropriate and suitable the speaking tasks (activities) were for the students. To analyze and interpret the data, the researcher used qualitative research method. I(Findings of the study indicated that less credence is given to the oral communicative tasks., The speaking activities in the Grade 12 students' English textbook do not meet most of the relevant criteria stated in the checklist which students require in order to take part orally. The findings also showed that even though the goals of oral communicative activities in the course book meet the needs and interests of learners, some of them are not explicitly stated. Again it has been found that the contents as input and the activities in the course material do not give szifjicient information due to absence of varied and interesting activities, adequate supporting and authentic materials and so on. It is also noted that since the tasks (activities) which are depicted in the textbook lack variety and do not make use of authentic materials (illustrations), they lack motivational values. Therefore, it is recommended that textbook writers (developers) should consider incorporating the six basic components of communicative tasks in the students' textbooks when preparing the materials. vi
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    EFL Learners' Attitude towards Group Work: The Case of High and Low Achievers
    (AAU, 2011-06) Andargie, Abebaw; Hailu, Alemu (Phd)
    The study sought to describe and compare high and low academic achiever students' attitude towards group work, It has used samples of grade 12 students from Belay Zeleke preparatory school. Sixty sample students were selected from ten sections through purposive sampling technique so that there were thi rty high achiever and thirty low achiever students for this study. ' To achieve the intended goal, the study has used descripti ve-comparative study design and qualitative & quantitative data gathering methods. Kouros & Abrami's (2006) questionnaire was employed with important modifications. The modified self-report questionnaire with 29- items administered to all sample students. In addition, interview was used with 10 high and low achiever learners. Data obtai ned through the questionnaire were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version-l3. The descriptive stati stics such as mean values, standard deviations, and Independent T-test were considered in the di scussion. During the di scussion, data obtained through the self report questionnaire were deeply analyzed together with the data obtained through interview. Results of the study revealed that both group of high and low achiever students have a favorable attitude towards group work and no significant difference was found in their attitude. Based on the data gained it is concluded that academic achievement level does not play any significant role in differentiating learners' attitude towards group work. Since the students do not vary in terms of their group work attitude based on the level of their achievement, it is recommended that teachers of English should incorporate group work activities in their teaching strategies by taking all necessary preparations. Students must also provide input in designing group work like group size, group composition, the time needed, and other related things.