An Assessment Of The Perception, Practice And Challenges Of Using Techniques Of Teaching English Speaking Skill: Grade Ten English As A Forien Language Teachers Of Bishaw And Grazmach High Schools In Focus

Abstract

This study assessed grade ten Teaching English as a Foreign Language teachers‟ perception, practices and challenges of using techniques of teaching English speaking skill at High schools. A mixed approach was used to deal with the data collected from eight (8) grade 10 English teachers selected through purposive sampling method. Interview and 16 classroom observations were used to collect data. The draft interview questions and observation checklist were also given to advisor and co-advisor to evaluate the items suitability in obtaining information in accordance with the research objectives. The instruments were then tested before the actual data collection process. Moreover, content analysis was used to analyze the interview data along with classroom observation and presented through narratives according to the research objectives. Finally, the research revealed that although the teachers‟ perception of the techniques of teaching English speaking skill at the study area was good, their implementation was poor due to their lack of training, English proficiency and vocabulary, self-confidence, and effort. Also, the students lack willingness to react as to the demands of the techniques. As a result, the students‟ speaking performance could not be adequately improved. Therefore, the teachers should avoid using the traditional approach and refer current books and journals from websites to fill their knowledge and skill gap of implementing techniques of teaching English speaking skill in their classroom simultaneously to improve their self-confidence and students‟ speaking skill.