IMPROVING PUPILS ENGLISH READING COMPREHENSION THROUGH TRAINING TEACHERS ON EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES IN RIDGE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL “A”, SAGNARIGU DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was understaken to improve teachers’ knowledge on effective teaching strategies and pupils reading regarding English comprehension at Ridge JHS ‘A’ using an in-service training for the English language teachers. The study employed action research. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 36 participants: 6 out of 32 teachers and 30 out of 817 pupils from Ridge JHS ‘A’. The instruments used to collect data were teacher interviews and teachers/pupils observations. Themes were drawn from the responses of the participants and analysed manually using the constant comparative method. The findinds revealed that challenges that act as impediments to teaching and learning of English comprehension included: inadequate teaching-learning materials, uncondusive classroom atmosphere for learning, lack of good reading foundation in the English language and pupils truancy.The study hoped to solve the problem of lack of good reading foundation of pupils through training teachers on effective teaching strategies. The post intervention results showed an improvement in the use of reading materials in class, teachers willingness to change to appropriate methods of teaching comprehension, and an improvement in pupils’comprehension skills through supplying pupils with readers. Recommendations made included: parents working with teachers to develop good reading habits and skills among pupils. GES to supply the school with English reading materials, GES to ensure an adequate training and development of all English language teachers on how to motivate pupils during comprehension lessons, and a strong reading foundation in English language for all pupils must be built by both parents and teachers.