Hindrances Affecting the Improvement of Reading Skills of Grade Nine Students: Hadiya Zone Secondary Schools in Focus.

Abstract

In this study, the researcher has revealed the issue of hindrances those affect the improvement of reading skills of grade nine students in Hadiya zone, South Nation Nationalities People Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia. It examines the place of reading English texts, and the need to improve students overall reading levels.  Mixed research design was employed to analyse the data collected. Forty nine English language teachers who teach English in the selected secondary schools and 160 grade nine students were participated in the study from the zone. To assess teachers’ and students’ views about problems of teaching and learning reading, an in depth interview and classroom observation were conducted for the study. Causes for students’ poor reading comprehension are suggested along with ideas for improvement. It was found out that

the identified problems in teaching reading are that the less applicability of appropriate reading techniques by teachers and students’  and lack of regular practice of  reading texts. Thus, the study revealed that teachers were unable to provide effective strategies of teaching reading; libraries were not facilitated with reading materials, English textbook reading texts are not designed based on students’ culture in order to motivate students towards reading. An important point is to be emphasized is that both teachers and students should play their roles to improve the reading skills in teaching learning process.