Investigating poor English language speaking skills among students of Adobewora community senior high school

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate poor speaking skills among students of Adobewora Community Senior High School. The main concern was to identify factors causing students‟ poor speaking skills and to identify appropriate teaching methods as well as teaching and learning materials (TLMs) used in teaching speaking skills in English. Mixed research approach and a descriptive survey design was employed to gather data on students‟ poor speaking skills in English. The target population comprised two hundred and sixteen (216) students and four (4) teachers of English. The sample size comprised one (1) randomly and two (2) purposively selected classes, comprising 87 students; and four (4) teachers of English. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guide, and observation. The analysed data were presented descriptively using tables and simple percentages. The study found that Lack of Confidence, Shyness, Mother tongue influence, Lack of Motivation, Peer Influence, Anxiety, and lack of appropriate vocabularies were the main factors causing students‟ poor English language speaking ability. The researcher recommended that students should be exposed to contexts where they can develop self confidence in themselves.