CHALLENGES TEACHERS AND LEARNERS EXPERIENCE IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Abstract

This study aimed at finding out various factors that impact on learners’ achievement of communicative competence in English at St. Kevin’s secondary school in Lodwar. The following questions guided the research: What challenges do teachers and learners experience in the teaching and learning of English as a second language. The study, a qualitative case study, involved 30 purposively sampled participants. A target population of four teachers and one head of English department; eleven form four and fourteen form three students was sampled. Data were generated using interview guides for the head of department and teachers, group focused discussion guides and classroom observation schedules. Interview guides were administered to four teachers and the head of department by the researcher. Thematic analysis of data from the various sources yielded an in-depth descriptive analysis of the factors that affect learners’ communicative competence in English. The findings revealed that high number of students in classes affects the development of communicative competence in English since most teachers are unable to give exercises and evaluate the progress of their learners.  Basing the teaching and learning processes to the learners’ experiences help them to develop the ability to communicate in English. The conclusion of the research findings reiterates the importance of the goal of English language teaching and learning in Kenya to empower the learner to communicate effectively. Teachers on one hand develop their lesson methodology depend on the learners’ dispositions and perceptions that shape their reception and retention of knowledge. The head of department emphasised the need for school language policies that do not negate the value of other languages to make students practise the learned knowledge. The recommendations outlined are to help learners to develop communicative competence in English. Such approaches as teacher discipline in language use to help learners to have role models, developing school, enough teaching and learning materials, encouraging the use of library for extensive reading among other areas are ways through which learners can be assisted to develop communicative competence skills.

Key Words: Challenges, Teaching and learning of English

CITATION: Barasa, M. W., Kiai, A., & Ndeke, F. N. (2021). Challenges teachers and learners experience in the teaching and learning of English as a second language. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 9 (3), 188-196.