AN ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES OF FAILURE IN THE ENGLISH SUBJECT IN GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOLS FOR BOYS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN Submitted By NIAMAT SHAH Registration No. SU-14-02-064-022 In Partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION Supervised By Prof. Dr. Niaz Muhammad Aajiz DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FACULTY OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION SARHAD UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PESHAWAR-PAKISTAN 2019 i CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL This is to certify that the research work presented in this thesis under the title “An Analysis of the Causes of Failure in the English Subject in Government High Schools for Boys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan” was conducted by Mr. Niamat Shah under the supervision of Dr. Niaz Muhammad Aajiz Assistant Professor of Education Islamia College University, Peshawar. No part of this thesis has been submitted anywhere else for any other degree. This thesis is submitted to the Department of Education, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Dr. Niaz Muhammad Aajiz __________________ Thesis Supervisor Signature and Date __________________ Internal Examiner Signature and Date __________________ External Examiner Signature and date __________________ Dean/HoD Signature and date ii DEDICATION I dedicate this effort of mine to my Parents (late), Wife, Three Kids, and those who love Humanity for the sake of Allah. iii Acknowledgements All praise and glory be to Allah Almighty who blessed the researcher with the commitment to accomplish this research work with great zeal and zest. It was like a dream for the researcher when he first took up this uphill task. But with firm belief in Allah Almighty and the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SWA), the researcher converted that dream into reality. First of all, the researcher extends all his compliment and gratitude to his research supervisor, Dr. Niaz Muhammad Aajiz, Assistant Professor of Education, Islamia College University Peshawar for his valuable guidance and treatment. He provided all useful suggestions and support during the study. Due to his utmost efforts to motivate the researcher made this study complete in time. May, Allah Almighty keep him happy and charismatic forever. The researcher is also thankful to Prof. Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, Director of Higher Studies, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar who very kindly gave expert suggestions in shaping the title of the study. The researcher is highly grateful to Dr. Khisro Kaleem Raza HOD, Education Department SUIT, Peshawar for his useful guidance. Thanks also go to friends, Mr. Shafiullah Khan Principal GHS Khwaza Khela Swat, Mr. Yahya Khan SS GHSS Bama Khela Matta Swat, Mr. Naimatullah Shah Kohat, Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Peshawar, Mr. Niaz Muhammad Dir Lower, Mr.Nisar Ahmad Shamozai ADO (male) Mardan, Mr. Shafiullah Khan Principal NCPE, Mardan and Mr. Taj Nabi Khattak Principal GHSS Katti Garhi Mardan who all did a great job in the collection of Data. The researcher is highly grateful to Dr. Khalid Iqbal for his cooperation and guidance in data analysis and interpretation. His professional guidance and consistent help during the process of data analysis was inevitable and laudable. The researcher is fully indebted to his wife and three kids for the support which they extended because without their willingness and coordination this study might have been impossible. (NIAMAT SHAH) iv Abstract The aim of this research study was to analyze the causes of failure in the English subject in Government High Schools for Boys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. English language is occupying a global position with multidimensional role in the fields of science, business and education. So it has great significance in the present era. However, students’ academic results at the secondary level in Government Schools are not promising as compared to other compulsory subjects. The failure rate of students in English subject was found far high (35.95%), compared to Urdu (2.2%) and Pak Studies (3.6%). The major objectives were to investigate the failure ratio in the English subject, identify the causes of failure in the English subject, analyze the causes of English language skills’ deficiency of students and give suggestions to control the failure rate in English. The population consisted of all Government High Schools for Boys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The targeted population included six districts namely, Bannu, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Dir Lower and Swat. Using stratified sampling technique, the sample included 345 principals, 345 English teachers and 2270 10th class students. The sample size was taken as per Krejcie and Morgan table. The primary data were collected through three different questionnaires which were administered to principals, English subject teachers and students of 10th class. Secondary data were gathered from authentic documents. The data collected were analyzed, tabulated and converted into percentages and chi-square through statistical package of social sciences (SPSS). Then the data were interpreted and discussed. Main findings of the study are that a majority of the English teachers are unqualified, technically ill- equipped and inexperienced. Language laboratories are not available in schools. Teachers use Grammar translation method where mother tongue is dominant. English teachers do not arrange such practical activities which can either improve language skills or give students an exposure to English language. Classrooms are overcrowded which hamper students’ performance in the English subject because there is a lack of teacher-student interaction and participation. Syllabus is found lengthy and time for the English period is not sufficient. Monthly or unit tests are not given to students. Principals do not supervise or supplement teachers v and students regarding English language. All these related factors lead to academic failure of secondary school students. The Study recommends remedial measures which include, selection of English teachers with relevant qualification be made. They should be given in-service training in order to raise their standard of teaching. Language laboratories should be established in schools and teachers should be trained for their correct usage. Direct method of teaching in English should be adopted to give students better exposure to English language. Creative and literary activities should be arranged for students. Principals should supervise, regularly, the performance of students in the English subject and they may also guide the teachers concerned. Parent-teacher coordination is needed to make sure students’ performance in the English subject. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Preliminary Section Page No Title Page ---------------------------------------------------- Approval Sheet ---------------------------------------------------- ii Dedication ---------------------------------------------------- iii Acknowledgements ---------------------------------------------------- iv Abstract ---------------------------------------------------- v-vi Table of Contents ---------------------------------------------------- vii-x List of Tables ---------------------------------------------------- xi-xiii Abbreviations ---------------------------------------------------- xiv CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 1-18 1.1 Background of th Study 1 1.2 The Purpose of English at the Secondary Level 3 1.3 Need and Importance of English Learning 4 1.4 English Learning Outcomes 5 1.5 Factors that Cause Failure in the English Subject 6 1.5.1 Methodology 6 1.5.2 Lack of Creative Based Learning 7 1.5.3 Irresponsible Attitudes of Students 7 1.5.4 Responsibility of Teachers 7 1.5.5 Role of Parents 8 1.5.6 Lack of Conducive Environment 8 1.5.7 Faulty Syllabus 9 vii 1.5.8 English subject is considered difficult by students 9 1.6 Teaching of English and Need of Teachers’ Qualification and Competence 10 1.7 Teaching of English and Effective Use of Methods 12 1.7.1 Grammar Translation Method 13 1.7.2 Direct Method 14 1.7.3 Audio Lingual Method 14 1.7.4 Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) 15 1.8 Statement of the Problem 16 1.9 Significance of the Study 17 1.10 Objectives of the Study 17 1.11 Research Questions of the Study 17 1.12 Delimitation of the Study 18 CHAPTER-2 LITERATURE REVIEW 19-52 2.1 Background of Teaching of English in the Sub- Continent 19 2.2 Problems of Teaching of English as a Subject 21 2.3 Aims of Teaching English 22 2.4 Language Skills 23 2.4.1 Reading Skills 23 2.4.1.1 Oral and Silent Reading 23 2.4.1.2 Intensive and Extensive Reading 24 2.4.1.3 Skimming and Scanning 24 2.4.1.4 Difficulties in Reading 24 2.4.2 Writing Skills 26 2.4.2.1 How to Improve Writing Skills 28 2.4.2.2 Good Handwriting 30 2.4.2.3 Causes of Poor Handwriting 30 2.4.2.4 Leading Principles for Writing 31 2.4.2.5 Teaching of English Writing 31 2.4.3 Speaking Skills 33 2.4.3.1 Important Techniques of Teaching Speaking Skills 34 viii 2.4.3.2 English Pronunciation and its Hurdles 35 2.4.3.3 Suggestions for Improving Spoken English 36 2.4.4 Listening Skills 37 2.4.4.1 Principles of Teaching Listening Skills 37 2.5 Phonology and Grammar of Language 38 2.6 An Analysis of Teaching of Language Skills and Competencies in English 39 2.7 Difficulties Faced by Students While Learning English at Secondary Level 40 2.8 Exploring the Causes of Failure in English at the Secondary School Level 40 CHAPTER-3 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY 53-57 3.1 Type