Analysing reading comprehension skills among basic six pupils with hearing impairment at state school for the deaf, Adjei-Kojo, Accra

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the factors that militate against the Reading Comprehension Skills of Basic six (BS6) pupils of the State School for the Deaf at Adjei Kojo, Accra. A sample of 40, which included 19 teachers and 21 pupils who were selected using the simple random sampling and the purposive sampling techniques respectively, participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the teachers, while actual intervention strategies in the form of organizing reading lessons were carried out with the pupils. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Frequency of scores and percentages were also calculated. The findings emphasized that, overdependence on class text books, lack of adequate sight vocabulary, pupils‟ inability to use sign language effectively and ineffective teaching approaches contributed to low level of reading comprehension among the pupils. However, the findings revealed that, the Language Experience Approach was found to be a very useful strategy in helping the pupils to overcome their reading comprehension difficulties.