This study seeks to investigate the causes of the poor performance of five senior high schools’ students in the Comprehension of English. It is a case study of the Wa Municipality. The purpose is to find out whether indeed the senior high students perform poorly in English comprehension and why. In carrying out this task, about fifteen English Language teachers and three hundred students were sampled from five senior high schools in the Wa Municipality for the study. The research design used here is a case study and the instruments used for collecting the data were test item and questionnaire. From the test conducted for 15 teachers of English, ten out of the fifteen selected teachers representing 66% percent indicated that reading difficulty among students is one of the factors contributing to the abysmal performance of senior high school students in English comprehension. Many students find it difficult to read hence their inability to understand comprehension passages.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Limitations
1.6 Objectives of the Study
1.7 Research Questions
1.8 Definition of Terms
1.9 Organization of the Study
2. Theoretical Framework and Review of Literature
2.1 The Meaning of Reading Comprehension
2.2 Methods and Strategies of Teaching Reading Comprehension
2.3 Factors that Hinder Students’ Performance in Reading Comprehension
2.4 Remedies to the Causes of Students’ Poor Performance in Comprehension
2.5 Summary of literature reviewed
3. Research Methodology
3.1 Research design
3.2 Population
3.3 Sample and sampling technique
3.4 Research tools
3.4.1 Questionnaire
3.4.2 Test item
3.5 Validity and Reliability
3.6 Data Collection Procedure
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Study area
4. Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussions
5. Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Discussion
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary objective of this research is to investigate the factors contributing to the poor performance of Senior High School students in English reading comprehension within the Wa Municipality, and to identify effective pedagogical strategies to address these challenges.
- Analysis of current student performance levels in English comprehension.
- Identification of biological, psychological, and social factors hindering comprehension skills.
- Evaluation of existing teaching methods and strategies utilized by English language teachers.
- Proposal of remedial measures and instructional strategies to improve reading comprehension.
Excerpt from the Book
The Meaning of Reading Comprehension
Reading can be done for various purposes. Some read to derive pleasure and satisfaction while others read for information. Reading comprehension is the identification of printed or written symbols, which aids in the recall of meanings formed through the reader's previous experiences. The concept of reading helps students to extract meanings from a discourse. A teacher has to understand the process of reading to enable him or her teach reading comprehension effectively. Reading can easily be defined as a way in which a reader receives and interprets information from a printed text or document. Reading is also a medium through which information is derived from a text and processed into meanings, starting with the message in the material, and culminating with what the reader deciphers. Reading is not merely a physical or visual contact with written symbols. It is rather a way of decoding, interpreting or making meaning from these symbols Sakyi–Baidoo (2003).
Reading has a long rich history in the life of humankind. Al Regeb, (2009) & Al Khawal deh, (2011) both affirm that reading enhances readers’ knowledge. It develops and equips them with the requisite vocabulary that helps them to interact with others, and improves their language skills.
Research has it that there is interplay between reading and comprehension as regards to academic achievement. Students who truly understand texts gain a deeper comprehension of the text. This enables them to relate the knowledge to what they have previously learnt. A good reader is someone who is able to understand what is read and is able to respond creatively and critically to the text, have a holistic understanding of the text. That is, being able to comprehend texts as a whole, and not just individual sentences and paragraphs and connect the text with oneself (the reader), with other texts, with the world and life in general.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the foundation for the study, outlining the research problem, objectives, and the significance of investigating English comprehension challenges in Senior High Schools.
Theoretical Framework and Review of Literature: Explores key theories of reading, such as schema and cognitive development, and reviews existing literature on comprehension strategies and potential barriers to student performance.
Research Methodology: Details the case study research design, including the population, sampling techniques, and data collection instruments like questionnaires and achievement tests used in the Wa Municipality.
Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussions: Presents and analyzes the collected data, comparing student test results with teacher perspectives to discuss the primary causes of poor performance.
Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations: Synthesizes the study's findings and offers practical recommendations for educational authorities, teachers, and parents to improve reading comprehension outcomes.
Keywords
Reading Comprehension, Senior High School, English Language, Academic Performance, Reading Difficulty, Teaching Strategies, Vocabulary Acquisition, Literacy, Pedagogical Methods, Schema Theory, Case Study, Wa Municipality, Educational Assessment, Student Performance, Language Skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research explores the reasons behind the low performance of Senior High School students in the comprehension component of their English Language examinations in the Wa Municipality.
What are the central thematic areas of this study?
The study centers on the definition of reading comprehension, the pedagogical methods used by teachers, factors like vocabulary and availability of learning materials, and practical strategies to improve student reading.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine whether students perform poorly in English comprehension, uncover the underlying causes of this performance, and suggest effective remedial solutions.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research uses a case study design, employing quantitative data collection via survey questionnaires for teachers and achievement tests for students.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main sections cover theoretical frameworks, a review of relevant literature, detailed research methodology, data analysis from the Wa Municipality, and a final summary of findings and conclusions.
Which keywords define this research best?
Key terms include Reading Comprehension, Senior High School, Teaching Strategies, Academic Performance, and Literacy.
What were the main findings regarding the lack of school resources?
The study found that a majority of the selected schools in the Wa Municipality suffer from a significant lack of textbooks and libraries, which directly hinders effective lesson delivery and student reading development.
How did student performance vary across different school levels?
The results showed generally poor performance across all forms, with a grand total of only 35% of participants performing above average in the comprehension test.
What specific role does vocabulary play in comprehension according to the study?
The research emphasizes that insufficient vocabulary acquisition is a major obstacle, preventing students from understanding texts or deducing meaning from context.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Justine Bakuuro (Autor:in), Abdulai Seidu (Autor:in), 2018, Challenges of English Reading for Senior High Students. Problems, Solutions and Recommenadations, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/964856
