Effects of Concentrated Language Encounter Method in Developing Comprehension Skills in Primary School Pupils in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the effects of concentrated language encounter method in developing comprehension skills in primary School Pupils in Cross River State. The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of primary one pupils’ reading level, English comprehension skill. It also examined the extent to which the CLE method of teaching reading will help to develop English comprehension skills of primary one pupils. One research question and one hypothesis were posed for investigation. The study utilised pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental designs (ex-post facto). Thirty-five (70) primary one pupils participated in the study. The instrument used was the comprehension test (CT) that was developed by the researcher. A story which was different from the conventional CLE stories was used during the pre-test and post-test. ten comprehension questions were developed by the researcher on the story, incorporating a combination of literal, inferential and main idea questions. Results indicated that the general reading/ability of the pupils with reading problem needs was poor and at frustrating level but the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores in acquisition of comprehension skills after intervention using concentrated language encounter method. Based on this finding, the researcher made some recommendations for the improvement of reading ability of primary school pupils with reading problems in public school settings.