Factors that affect Students’ Participation in English language classroom: the case of Grade 10 students at Biftu Gawo High Schoo

Abstract

The central intention of this research was to explore students’ participation in English language the case of grade 10 at Biftu Gawo high school which is found in Kelem Wollega zone Gawo Kebe district. To attain this objective, a descriptive survey research design was employed. The sample consisted of 6 English language teachers and 64 students drawn from 640 grade 10 students of the respective school. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the target school while comprehensive and stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the sample teachers and students. In order to collect data from the participants, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were administered. Then, the data obtained using these tools were presented, analyzed and interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively. The data obtained from the questionnaires and the interview, were presented and analyzed independently. Then, all the results of the items from these tools were triangulated at the discussion section. Information on what EFL teachers and students hold towards how students participate in classroom and what factors impede students’ classroom participation in EFL classroom were obtained through the questionnaire and in-depth interview of teachers and students. The research findings indicated that a considerable number of students were reluctant to participate due to many causes such as low English proficiency, fear of speaking in front of others, negative evaluation, shyness, lack of confidence and preparation, and fear of making mistakes. All in all, from the comparison of the male and female students’ participation, all these factors prevent the students to participate. Based on the findings teachers should improve students’ participation by devoting time and thought to shaping the environment and planning each class session. Certainly, this study is not sufficient and consequently, further research will be conduct to cover all aspects of this issue in order to seek strategies for surmounting among EFL high school students