Assessing Factors Affecting the Students’ Reading Speed and Comprehension: Manasibu Secondary School Grade Nineth in Focus: Western Wallagga Zone

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out the factors that affect students’ reading speed and comprehension that are related to students, teachers, and school with particular reference to Grade Nine Manasibu Secondary of West Wallagga Zone, Oromia. A descriptive survey of quantitative and qualitative data analysis method was employed to carry out this study. 97 students and 12 teachers were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The data were gathered through questionnaires, interview and classroom observation. The questionnaires were used to explore the teachers’, students’ and school related constraints with respect to the learning and teaching of reading speed and comprehension skills. The interview and classroom observation supplemented the data obtained through the questionnaires. Numbers and percentages were used to analyze the collected data. The result of the study revealed that the teachers rarely played their roles to improve the students’ reading speed and comprehension in the classroom reading due to lack of awareness. The finding also revealed the problem related to school like less oriented to the reading skills, lack of finance, lack of awareness, large number students in each class, unsuitability of seating arrangements to pair and group works and lack of access to teaching aids. Finally, on the basis of the findings, it was recommended that in order to improve students’ reading speed and comprehension, above all, the students have to practice reading in the target language by reading in the library and at their homes and by participating activities in the classroom. To this end, teachers also ought to play prominent roles to improve the students’ reading speed and comprehension.