Challenges Facing Primary School Teachers In Teaching English Language: A Case Of Kongwa District, Dodoma

ABSTRACT

This study assessed challenges facing primary school teachers in teaching English language in Kongwa District. The study was governed by three specific objectives namely; Assess content and skills of primary school teachers‟ preparation in teaching English language; examine challenges facing teachers in teaching English language in primary schools and lastly explore strategies on improving teaching of English language in primary schools. Ecological Systems Theory (EST) by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1978) was used. Mixed approach where both quantitative and qualitative approach was used. Furthermore, the study employed concurrent research design in data collection. Data were collected from a sample of 60 respondents through Questionnaire, Interview, Document review and Focus Group Discussion. Descriptive data were analyzed by computing frequency, percentage and mean by using SPSS Programme Version 20 while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. Results revealed that teachers prepare themselves in terms of content and skills in teaching; Challenges facing English teachers in teaching are mother tongue language, shortage of English language reading materials, overcrowded classrooms and teacher‟s incompetence in methodology and teaching and learning aids. Recommended strategies included; provision of learning materials, increase the number of English teachers, English language competition, and expansion of classrooms. The study concluded that the preparation of teachers in terms of content and skills has its importance in teaching of English language. The study recommended that due to increasing population and the implementation of fee free has resulted into high enrollment of pupils hence there is a need of recruiting more teachers to fit the number of teacher-student ratio, trainings to teacher are mandatory to improve teaching skills to mention a few.