Investigation the Factors Affecting Students’ Speaking Skill in English Classroom; Abusera Secondary School, Grade Nine in Focus
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Date
2024-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting Grade nine students’ speaking skills in EFL classroom; at Abu Sera secondary school in Oromiya region, East Showa Zone, Akaki Woreda were purposively selected. To achieve the overall purpose of this study, a descriptive survey design was employed. Data collection instruments were classroom observation, questionnaire and interview. The sample populations of this study were teachers and students. Seventy three students were selected using random sampling method and five teachers were also selected using purposive sampling technique. To analyze the obtained data, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used. The findings showed that lack of confidence from the student side, code switching, preference of grammar and vocabulary than speaking, poor speaking background, lack of vocabulary, teachers' emphasis on grammar and vocabulary, teacher centered way of teaching, large class size, lack of access of teaching aids, shortage of textbooks and references. And also they had learnt by the teachers who did not train or qualified in English language and in pedagogy. Students could pass from class to class without getting knowledge on required level, teaching-learning process was just like preaching(sermon) in the church, L1(students' mother tongue) almost the medium of instruction in all subjects. Each of these factors was also caused by different problems such as: Classmates’ laughing when one makes a mistake while speaking; focusing on teaching grammar than speaking; focusing of exam questions mainly on grammar and vocabulary than speaking, students unable pronounce English words and letters correctly and teachers used traditional method of teaching. Students did not pronouncing some of English letters in correct. For example, some students did not pronounced G, H, S, W, X and Y correctly. The teachers should employ their maximum potential to assess and activate the students’ basic language skills and increase students’ motivation, and self-confidence in speaking skills; the school should fulfill supplementary materials books, audio, films, equipment of language laboratory for better improvement of students’ speaking skills.
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speaking skills in EFL classroom