A STUDY ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY ENGLISH TEACHERS IN

SCHOOLS OF KERALA STATE

Angelina Morris. H

B.Ed. Student

Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education

Kottayam

ABSTRACT

English has become the symbol of peoples aspirations for quality in education and fuller
participation of national and international life. Many methods emerged in the 21 st century for
teaching and learning of English language. Therefore, teaching English language encompasses
not only skill/knowledge of the subject, but working conditions of teachers, curriculum related
problems, educational background of the students, teaching competencies of teachers etc.
Thus English language becomes challenging for school teachers in India. The present study
focuses on problems faced by the teachers in teaching English language in schools of Kerala
state.

KEY TERMS: English language, curriculum, teaching competency, educational

background of the students.
INTRODUCTION

Education is a powerful tool that equips a society to encounter the challenges that life brings
with it. Teaching is an art and every teacher has a personal style and specific beliefs.
Therefore, teaching English as a second language calls for the attention of teachers with
involvement, dedication and love for students. Language learning involves linking four skills
listening, speaking, reading and writing. To fulfil this, NCF (2007) introduced discourse
oriented pedagogy which makes the teachers to improve his or her teaching skills for the
students. The Present English language curriculum of secondary schools of Kerala, provides
language exposure to the students in the forms of discourses. It encompasses the principles of
adapting functional language approach, communicative approach, process approach, and
English for specific purpose approach among others. Thus the process of constructing
knowledge has its unique features. Though the curriculum proposes a holistic treatment of
language in the classroom, we have to empathise with teachers who takes pains to teach the
content of English textbook loaded with its information to the students.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

Teaching English language is not an easy task. The teacher has to play many roles in the
classroom. A major role that the teachers have to focus on is teaching the lesson to satisfy the
level of understanding of the students. Next they have to complete the syllabus within the
given time and assess the learning of the students in the classroom. Language is not a subject
like chemistry, mathematics, but it is skill oriented where practice is needed to acquire the
skills of language. All main basic skills of language like listening, speaking, reading, and
writing, are integrated. Therefore, a survey is useful in determining the present trends and
solving current practical issues. It also suggests the cause of future developments for those
who are interested in similar problems.
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The present study is taken up for investigating in to the problems faced by teachers in
teaching English language at secondary level. Thus the title of the study has been stated as, A
study of the problems faced by teachers in teaching English language in secondary schools in
Kerala state.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To identify the problems faced by teachers in English classrooms.
To study the working condition of English teachers.
To identify the curriculum related problems that affect English teachers.
To study the problems related to the competency of teachers.
To know how the educational background of students affects the teachers.
To study the importance of approach of authorities in influencing English teachers.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

In order to achieve the objectives of the study, survey method has been adopted. The
study includes the gathering of data regarding the identification of the problems faced
by teachers in teaching English language in secondary schools. The sample of the
study consisted of 25 English teachers from 10 schools which were located in 3
districts. The selected teachers were of having different age and qualifications. The
investigator met the English teachers and their co-operation. Before administering the
questionnaire, the investigator had an interaction with the teachers individually and
explained the research topic. The questionnaire was administered to the English
teachers, with necessary instructions. It contained 20 questions and had been
constructed based on the objectives mentioned in the study. All 20 questions required
yes or no model answers. The questionnaire was administered to the teachers
individually.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

The tool constructed for the purpose of collecting data for the present study has two
parts: general information of teachers (Part A) and problems faced by the teachers in
teaching English language (Part B)
 1. Part A has four items which covers the general information about the teachers
and school details.
2. Part B consists of twenty items which are divided into six sections.

Section 1 Consists of five items to find out the problems faced by English
teachers in the classroom.
Section 2 Consists of five items to study the working conditions of English
teachers.
Section 3 Consists of two items to identify the curriculum related problems.
Section 4 Consists of three items to study the problems related to the
competency of teachers.
Section 5 Consists of two items to know how the educational background of
students affect the teachers.
Section 6 Consists of three items which deals with the importance of the
approach of authorities towards English teachers.

The questionnaire was prepared based on the objectives of the study. It consisted of
twenty questions which were given in multiple choice only.

DATA ANALYSIS

As the present study the survey method was adopted and the data collected through
questionnaire was converted into scores. These were classified, tabulated and
analysed to yield meaningful interpretation or results which eventually had to lead to
significant findings of the study. The analysis and interpretation of data with respect
to the objectives have been discussed under six sections.

SL. STATEMENTS (OBJECTIVES) YES NO

NO
.
1 Problems faced by teachers in English classroom 64% 36%
2 Difficulties in the working conditions of English 61.6% 38.4%
teachers
3 Problems related to English curriculum 70% 30%
4 Problems related to the competency of English 62.6% 37.4%
teachers
5 The problems related to the educational 84% 16%
background of students
6 Problems caused due to the approach of authorities 81.3% 18.7%
 FINDINGS

The topics discussed is highly relevant because it is evident from the study that the
English teachers faced different kinds of problems in the classroom. It was analysed
that the working conditions of English teachers plays a significant role in determining
the level of competency of teachers as well as the approach of authorities towards
English teachers.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

A supportive professional work environment as well as positive relationships within

the community can reduce the pressures and improve teachers motivation and
effectiveness.
Each teacher should make sure that you are taking ample time for yourself, to
decompress and relax while you are not in school. This will ensure that when you
return to the class room, each day you can really be your best.
Teachers should be trained and encouraged to employ new methods and approaches to
teach English language.
Adapting teaching to different student characteristics by using diverse methods of
teaching. Like adapting to the ability levels, patterns of different abilities, learning
styles, personality characteristics and cultural back ground.

CONCLUSION

Education is a powerful tool for liberation. It equips a society to encounter all forms of
suppression. The New Curriculum envisions the aim and methodology of learning as
construction of knowledge. But the findings of the study revealed that the English teachers
faced different kinds of problems in the class room. Though, most of the English teachers feel
that The New Curriculum is effective they find it difficult due to activities involved in
implementing it.

REFERENCE

English language www.wikipedia.com/english

Importance of Motivating English teachers www.usingenglish.com