Strategies Used In Teaching Oral Skills In The English Language And Their Effect On Pupils’ Performance In Lower Primary Schools In Kakamega County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching strategies used in teaching oral skills in English language and their effects on pupils performance among lower primary school pupils. Specifically the study was guided by the following objectives; to investigate the teaching methods used by teachers for the development of English oral skills, to examine the types of teaching and learning materials used for teaching oral skills in English language, to establish the relationship between teachers qualification and their ability to teach oral skills and to establish the difficulties faced by English language teachers while teaching oral skills. This study is significant considering the important role English language plays in the teaching and learning in general and in language acquisition. It is hoped that the findings would serve as a basis for assisting teachers of English language adopt teaching techniques which would promote the teaching of oral skills. The research was guided by Vygotsky’s theory of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Literature was reviewed as per the study objectives. The variables under investigation were independent, intervening and dependent variables. The study used descriptive research design. The study employed stratified simple random sampling technique in selecting the sample size for the schools, classes and teachers of English giving final sample sizes of 10 schools, 100 teachers and 10 classes. Piloting study was done in two primary schools that were not used in the main study. Questionnaire, interview schedules, observation schedules were used to collect data. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), content analysis respectively. The results were presented in form of tables for interpretations and discussions. Further the study found out that teachers employed interactive techniques through the use of English as a medium of instruction in their classes while teaching oral skills. The study established that textbooks and newspaper/magazine cuttings were used as the preferred teaching and learning material in teaching oral skills in English. It was further established that most schools lacked a variety of other learning materials and resources to enable them effectively teach oral skills. The study established that there was a significant relationship between teachers’ qualification and the teaching of oral skills in English. Among the challenges facing the teaching of oral skills in English, the study revealed that the teaching and learning of oral skills in English was greatly hampered by mother tongue influence, lack of constant practice in the use of oral skills and inadequate textbooks of oral skills in English. Based on these findings, the study recommends that teachers should design more interactive oral strategies such as role play, reciting of poems and instructional activities that allow students to participate in the learning process. Further there is need for the government to procure and distribute enough teaching and learning materials that can facilitate the improvement of learning English oral skills. Moreover, teachers of English should try and advance their teaching skills through attending more professional trainings and that they should adopt a learner centered method of teaching to allow for active participation of students in order to encourage them to communicate effectively and intelligibly.