EXPLORING GRADE 8 EFL TEACHERS VOCABULARY TEACHING TECHNIQUES THE CASE OF THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN REFENTI CHABIR, DECHA CHABIR AND SEKELA.

ADVISOR: MEKURIA ZEWDIE (PhD) ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore teacher vocabulary teaching techniques in English classes in primary school of Decha Chabir, Sekela, and Refenti Chabir. The study particularly, tried to find out teachers’ knowledge on the exploring grade 8 EFL teacher vocabulary teaching techniques and examine to what extent teachers practically use vocabulary teaching techniques in EFL classes and identify the major factors that might hamper the implementation of vocabulary teaching techniques in EFL classes. To assess the effectiveness of vocabulary teaching techniques. Qualitative and quantitetive method were used to conduct the study. Accordingly, five teachers who taught English in Decha Chabir, Sekela, and Refenti Chabir Primary School were selected for the study. Data were collected through observation and questioners. The data collected were analyzed qualitatively through interpretative analysis. Thus, the findings of the study indicated that the teachers’ had good understanding about exploring teacher vocabulary teaching techniques; however, they encountered challenges while implementing teaching techniques. The results showed that the challenges were large class size, seating arrangements, shortage of textbook, time constraints, and classroom condition. Thus, the practice of vocabulary teaching techniques did not fully qualify the basic principles of vocabulary teaching techniques as the English classes were teacher- centered. Thus, based on the findings it was recommended that teachers should give emphasis to effective ways of practicing of vocabulary teaching techniques in English classrooms and familiarize learners to different vocabulary teaching techniques.