Abstract:
The present study was conducted to find out the practices and challenges of reading
comprehension at Aykel General secondary school in Chilga District. Descriptive Survey
research design was mainly used to assess the practices and challenges of reading
comprehension. The subjects in this study were grade 9 students and English Language teachers
teaching these students were participated. Simple random sampling technique was used to select
the students and teachers. The data were collected through questionnaire, observation and semi structured interview. The validity and reliability of instruments were approved by colleagues and
my advisor. Mixed method was employed with an emphasis on triangulation design. Descriptive
statistics including frequency counts (frequency, percentage, and mean were used. In the
discussion section, the analysis of the current study results were discussed in relation to the
scholars views. The finding of the study showed that students have gaps in using all
comprehension skills and teachers also have weaknesses in applying all kinds of comprehension
skills. Also, the finding of the study showed that lack of interest, lack of language knowledge and
lack of reading experience especially when they were in junior schools were the gaps that hinder
the students’ reading comprehension. The findings were summarized and concluded in relation
to the research questions. Hence, based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that
teachers should vary their ways of teaching and balance their teaching comprehension skills and
aware which comprehension skill when to use and meet the learning styles of their students’
reading comprehension problems properly.
