An investigation of teachers' perception and their classroom practices in teaching listening comprehension: the case of Mettu, Abdi Bori and Alge Secondary Schools grade 10 in focus

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of teaching listening skill in relation to the current practice and perception of grade 10 English Language teachers. Three secondary schools in Ilu Aba Bor Zone namely Mettu, Abdi Bori and Alge secondary schools were involved in the study. To achieve this objective a descriptive survey research design was employed using available and random sampling techniques. 9 grade 10 English Language teachers and 316 students respectively were drawn as a sample from 1581 grade 9 students. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the targeted schools. The required data for the study were collected using content analysis, questionnaires and class observation. From 12 units incorporated in the text, the listening section included in 6(50%) of the course book were analyzed using the check list (Appendix A). The questionnaire completed by the respondents cross checked through the observation result conducted on 5 teachers were observed four times each to see how they actually conduct the listening lesson in the class. In the analyzing the data descriptive statistics were used. The analysis revealed that the current practice of the teacher contradict with the pedagogical procedures suggested for teaching listening skill in the teachers guide and another ELT literature. Though teachers claimed that they have been using the text and give appropriate feedback, the students' response and observation result indicate a great gap between what the teachers said and their actual practice. Lack of essential equipment to present listening lesson, motivation and commitment on the part of the teachers appeared to be major cause for the teachers' failure to execute the suggested teaching procedure and activities for teaching listening lesson. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are forwarded to alleviate the problems in the school under the study.