Browsing by Author "Nsyengula, Stephen"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Learners’ Attitudes and Practices towards Learning Communication Skills: The Case of Ordinary Diploma in Science Programmes
(The University Of Dodoma, 2019) Nsyengula, Stephen
This study investigated the learners’ attitudes and practices towards learning communication skills among ordinary diploma students of science programmes. The study involved a sample of 112 respondents, 62 from MUST and 50 from ATC. A cross-sectional research design was employed coupled with qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, observations and documentary review. Further, eight (8) classroom observations were made to collect data at the natural settings. The prospectus, examination scripts, copies of past papers, teaching schedule and instructors’ teaching load distribution for the first semester 2018/2019 were reviewed at the institutions. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the majority of diploma students have positive attitudes towards learning communication skills. Female students were more positive than male students. Moreover, the first and third-year students showed more positive attitudes than second-year students. Even though communication skills course is offered at the institutions, students demonstrated weakness in using English which is the language of communication in the institutions. Several practices limited students’ learning of communication skills. These include class size, scarcity of instructional materials and teaching methodology. Thus, students’ attendance in class and communication proficiency were affected. It is suggested that a pedagogical review is made to improve the teaching and learning of the course. Instructional materials and size of the class should be considered to enhance students’ acquisition of the required skills