ABSTRACT
The research sought to establish challenges associated with the achievement of
automaticityat grade two level with the view to find possible strategies to circumvent the
established challenges, consequently enhancing reading and school performance. The
study was necessitated by the fact that eleven subjects out of twelve in the Zimbabwean
Primary School Curriculum are done in English, for this reason the achievement of
automaticity was considered paramount. The study was also necessitated by the outcry
of grade three to seven teachers in Vutika Cluster on the alarming number of nonreaders
in schools. More often than not research on the achievement of automaticity
has focused on developed countries and urban settings leaving rural learners’ needs
seemingly unexplored. The prevalence of non-readersindeveloped countries left the
researcher with wonder as to the state of affairs in rural settings. Literature revealed that
non-readers are prevalent across the world whether the country is poor or rich.
Reviewed literature also revealed that learners have diverse challenges in their quest to
achieve automaticity in English reading. Some strategies need to be identified to make
the challenges surmountable.
The research study employed the mixed methods approach and a descriptive survey
design. The population comprised of one hundred and ninety grade two learners, eight
grade two teachers and three teachers-in-charge in Vutika Cluster. In terms of learners
25% (49 learners) constituted the sample. Teachers and teachers-in-charge were
chosen using purposive sampling. Eight grade two teachers and three teachers-incharge
voluntarily participated in the research. Data were collected using three research
instruments namely a questionnaire for teachers, an interview guide for teachers-incharge
and a sample of learners’ scores which were averaged. Data were analyzed
using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques.
The study found that non-readers were in the range 20% to 30% in the schools. The
study concluded that non-readers are really a reality in schools. The research study
established nineteen challenges that are associated with achievement of automaticity at
grade two level. It was therefore concluded that grade two learners face challenges in
striving to achieve automaticity. The research established twelve strategies that may be
employed in helping learners achieve automaticity in English reading. It was therefore
concluded that the reading challenges can be surmountable.
CHAKARA, P (2021). Contract Farming And Its Impact On The Tobacco Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study Of Karoi 2004-2014. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/contract-farming-and-its-impact-on-the-tobacco-farmers-livelihoods-a-case-study-of-karoi-2004-2014
CHAKARA, PRECIOUS "Contract Farming And Its Impact On The Tobacco Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study Of Karoi 2004-2014" Afribary. Afribary, 06 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/contract-farming-and-its-impact-on-the-tobacco-farmers-livelihoods-a-case-study-of-karoi-2004-2014. Accessed 07 Sep. 2024.
CHAKARA, PRECIOUS . "Contract Farming And Its Impact On The Tobacco Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study Of Karoi 2004-2014". Afribary, Afribary, 06 May. 2021. Web. 07 Sep. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/contract-farming-and-its-impact-on-the-tobacco-farmers-livelihoods-a-case-study-of-karoi-2004-2014 >.
CHAKARA, PRECIOUS . "Contract Farming And Its Impact On The Tobacco Farmers’ Livelihoods: A Case Study Of Karoi 2004-2014" Afribary (2021). Accessed September 07, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/contract-farming-and-its-impact-on-the-tobacco-farmers-livelihoods-a-case-study-of-karoi-2004-2014