Causes of reading difficulties in English 2nd language in grade 4 at a school in Katima Mulilo circuit

Abstract

Causes of reading difficulties in English as a second language have been a subject of discussion for a long time because of the interest it generates. Research has shown that mother tongue, to some extent, interferes with learning a second language. This study investigated the causes of reading difficulties in English as a second language at a school in the Katima Mulilo Circuit. The objectives of the study were to identify causes of reading difficulties in English as a second language among Grade 4 learners at a school in the Katima Mulilo Circuit and to find out how their reading ability in their home language influences their reading in English as a second language. The study employed a qualitative design because of the nature of the topic, i.e. to understand the causes of reading difficulties in English as a second language. Data was purposefully selected using interviews as a data collection instrument. The study revealed that the teacher-learner ratio at the school is higher than the one prescribed by the Ministry of Education. This has a negative impact on teaching and learning. Another finding of the study is that there is no relationship between learners’ reading abilities in mother tongue and the acquisition of reading abilities in English as a second language.Pre-primary education did not lay a strong foundation for these learners as they and teaching aids. The lack of facilities such as libraries, computers laboratories as well as textbooks, and posters were also mentioned as causes of the reading difficulties experienced by learners.