ANALYSIS OF SPEAKING TASKS OF GRADE TEN ENGLISH FOR ETHIOPIA TEXTBOOK

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine whether the components and nature of speaking tasks in grade 10 English for Ethiopia textbook meet the criteria set for the communicative tasks or not. Participants were grade 10 English teachers of Degem secondary school. Descriptive research design method and purposive sampling technique was used. To collect data 51 speaking tasks were analyzed in terms of goals, inputs, roles and setting. In addition, a semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers. Data gathered through interview and textbook analysis were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentage and frequency while qualitative data were verbally described. Both qualitative and quantitative data were interpreted, concluded and summarized. Finally, the data were integrated to create a holistic picture of the study. The findings of the study showed that teachers lacked good commitment towards teaching varieties of strategies and stages of tasks. The result of textbook analysis indicated that the coverage of speaking activities throughout the textbook is proportional with other skills. However, some speaking activities in the text seemed to be beyond the level of understanding of the learners. Based on the results of the study, the students need to consider speaking skill as equal to other skills and use them in their day to day life activities. It is also advisable if teachers promote the students’ awareness towards this skill and use different strategies to help them to be motivated to speak.