THE PRACTICES OF ACTIVE LEARNING METHODS IN ENGLISH CLASSES AT ARBA MINCH SECONDARYAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL: FOCUSING ON GRADE 11 STUDENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact or influence of the practices of active learning methods on ‘the learning’ of the students of English language classes. This research was carried out through qualitative and quantitative researches design with random sampling method. This research used questionnaires, classroom observations and interviews as data collecting instruments. Employing simple random sampling procedure, four classes of Arba Minch Secondary and Preparatory School students and teachers were sampled. The study aims at to: identifying the major factors/challenges in practicing active learning method in English classes; determining the attitudes of the school teachers and students towards the practice of active learning method; examining to what extent active learning methods are being practiced in English language classes in the school. In total Two hundred students and seven teachers are involved in this study. The data of the research are gathered from the English language classes (students and teachers) via instruments developed by the researcher. Therefore, data for this study have been collected from two bodies (i.e. teachers and students), using several instruments such as classroom observations, motivational questionnaires, and teacher- interviews to achieve methodological triangulation. The major findings of this study suggest that the practices of active learning method emphasize the traditional teaching methods, in which session’s teacher’s talk and students listen. Active learning methods that are included in the study are inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, group work learning, role- playing learning, peer-teaching learning and discussion methods. The common problems that the study finds are: lack of time & resources to implement problem-based learning; inflexibility of the time table; negative attitudes of students and teachers; preparations of teaching materials; and the class size to be covered. It’s hoped that the training and support may improve teachers’ and students’ feelings as well as the teaching methods. Educational implications for the application of active learning method in English language teaching, especially suggestions for teacher development in active learning have been proposed along with the suggestions for future research.