A STUDY ON THE PROBLEMS OF TEACHING READING SKILLS IN GRADE 9 AT GUAGUSA SHIKUDAD WOREDA SECONDARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOLS

<strong>Abstract: </strong>The aim of this study was to examine the problems on teaching reading in grade 9 English classrooms. To attain this objective, descriptive survey design and both qualitative and quantitative (mixed) research methods were employed. For this study Guagusa Shikudad Woreda secondary and preparatory schools were comprehensively selected. Six (6) English language teachers currently teaching English in grade 9 were selected using purposive sampling technique to participate in the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the units of reading passages and activities. The main data gathering instruments were teacher’s interview &amp; classroom observation. The researcher also made analysis of reading passages and activities to collect more data. The data gathered using the above instruments were presented in words or interpretation and in the form of frequency, percentage and tables. The data were analyzed using thematic narration approach. This analysis was used to find what problems exist in the teaching learning process of understanding English texts by high school students. The major findings were large class size, lack of teaching reading materials, poor teaching method, lack of students’ motivation and interest, lack of authentic reading texts, lack of pre-reading activities in the reading passages, insufficient preparation of teachers and poor foundation of students in reading. The main conclusion is that problems of teaching reading related to students, teachers, reading texts and schools facilities and equipment are very serious. The study recommended that the concerned bodies should build adequate classes in the schools. The Ministry of Education, the Education bureau and other concerned bodies should supply adequate textbooks and supplementary reading materials in the schools. Trainings should be organized starting from school level to the Ministry of Education to improve teachers teaching reading capacity and to overcome the problem identified.