AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING LISTENING AT PRIMARY LEVEL: THE CASE OF MARCH EIGHT GRADE EIGHT STUDENTS IN ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

The major aim of this study was to investigate the practice of teaching listening skill at primary level; the case of march Eight grade 8 students in Addis Ababa. For selecting sample students, simple random technique was used. In connection with the sample size, 28 (16%) of sample students from 174 (100%) total population of students were taken to fill the questionnaire. The study also included the two available English language teachers who teach English in the 2012 E.C Academic year. Four data gathering tools, the evaluation of the presentation of grade eight teacher’s guide, questionnaire, interview and observation were used to collect primary data. A questionnaire contains close ended and open ended item was administered to 28 (16%) sample students. In addition, semi-structured interview questions were conducted with both available English language teachers. Classroom observation was a conducted using structured check-list. Besides to these, the evaluation of the presentation of grade eight teacher’s guide regarding to the three phases of teaching listening skill, pre, while, and post listening was carried out. To describe, delineate and explain the data gathered using aforementioned instruments, Results of this study showed that the three phases of teaching listening skill enhances students’ listening comprehension ability. It also showed that although the teachers are aware of the three phases of teaching listening skill develop students listening comprehension ability, the teacher did not implement them in the actual class to deliver listening lesson to the most extent. Finally, on the basis of major findings and conclusions reached, recommendations have been made for the teachers, researchers and educational experts.