Enhancing reading comprehension skills among students of Wenchi Senior High School

Abstract

This study was undertaken to improve senior high students reading and comprehension skills. The purpose of the study was to investigate the applicability of the Paired Summarizing Technique in improving comprehension reading skills of students of Wenchi Senior High School. The study employed action research design. Convenient sampling was used to select a sample of 26 senior high school students for the study. The instruments used to collect data were pre-test, post-test, questionnaire and observation. The findings of the study revealed that some of the causes of reading problems included students’ lack of reading after classes, students’ inability to fully take advantage of library facilities and teachers’ inability to fully exploit the materials at their disposal to help students. The findings also revealed that Paired Summarising Technique can help students gain significant achievements in comprehension. The findings also showed that the use of Paired Summarising Technique in teaching and learning increased students’ interest in reading and speaking the English Language. The study recommended that teachers should vary their methods of teaching English reading so learners can benefit from individual differences and encourage paired reading among students.