Influence of teaching methods on students' achievement in KCSE English in public secondary schools in Kasipul Division, Rachuonyo South District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the teaching methods on student's performance in English in KCSE in Kasipul Division of Rachuoyo South district. To achieve this, four research objectives were formulated which include: to identify the various teaching methods used by thee teachers of the English; assess relationships between, teaching methods and students performance in English at KCSE and to analyze the relationship between teaching experience and the method used by the teachers of the English.

The study used the Ex Post Facto research design. The design was suitable because the variables involve in the study would not be manipulated. The piloting of the instrument was done to measure its validity and reliability. The data was collected using the questionnaires that were administered by the teachers and the learners. 56 teachers of the English and 322 form four students were used. Qualitative data was sorted into homogenous themes and coded. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer software version was used to analyses the quantitative data.

The study found out that text book reading, demonstration and homework assignment were the most used methods. An investigation into the methods most liked by the students revealed that some of the, most used methods by the teacher are not the most liked by the learners. The study also found out that teachers who are highly experienced were identified by the methods which have more activities and that allow teachers -learner interaction. The study noted that teachers who involved. methods with hands on activities had their students score highly.

In view of the findings, it was recommended that any instruction in English should contain activities and should be student centered. It was also recommended tat workshops for teachers of English be recognized so that experienced teachers can be orientate others. The study also recommended that schools should strive to provide sufficient and varied teaching learning resources. The recommendation for the further researcher included: a similar research to be carried out in other districts in Kenya for comparison purpose; another research be carried out to determine how long the activities orientate method would take with the current syllabus and a similar research be conducted involving heads of languages department and head teachers.