Assessing the Effects of Large Class Sizes on the Teaching and Learning of Writing Skills in English as a Foreign Languages: The Case tf Grade 11 Students at Ayer Tena Secondary School
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Date
2024-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The focus of this study was to investigate the effects of large class sizes on teaching and learning writing skills, with particular attention to the challenges teachers and students face in English writing activities. The study was carried out at Ayer Tena Secondary School, and a descriptive survey research design was employed in conjunction with a mixed approach incorporating quantitative and qualitative research methods. In order to ensure the reliability of the research tools, a pilot study was conducted with 12 students from a different school with large class sizes, and the reliability of the tool was tested. It appeared to have an acceptable internal consistency, as indicated by Cronbach's alpha value of 0.71. The data for this study were gathered from 40 students and four English language teachers, and observations were made in two classrooms. Data was collected using three tools: a questionnaire, interviews, and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed numerically in a table using percentages, while qualitative data were transcribed, elaborated, and narrated in words. The study results showed that large class sizes pose significant instructional and social challenges during the teaching and learning process of English writing skills lessons, negatively affecting the quality of writing instruction. Furthermore, the study found that while teachers attempt to mitigate the effects of large class sizes, their efforts are insufficient. In light of these findings, the study suggests that teachers should prioritized writing as a crucial skill and take various pedagogical measures to engage individual students to improve the teaching and learning of English writing skills.
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Effects of large class sizes on teaching