Abstract:
This study aims at investigating, exploring and examining reasons of unsatisfactory performance of secondary school students on vocabulary tests. The data were collected by using various research tools basically depend on descriptive and analytical methods qualitative and quantitative information. The researcher designed a questionnaire for the teachers and a vocabulary test was done with the secondary school students. The tools of the study were carried out in 2017 at the River Nile State, Shendi Locality. The samples sizes were 32 teachers at Secondary school. The validity and reliability of the tools were confirmed before distribution. The data obtained from the tools were statistically analyzed by employing the Statistical Package for social (SPSS) for frequencies distribution and Chi-square, P-value, T-test, and Graphs. The data were analyzed and the results obtained were tabulated and discussed. The main results of the study showed that the students are encountered by different difficulties in understanding English vocabulary, words' roots, irregular plural, words with multiple meaning and synonyms of words. Finally, the teaching staff was sufficiently aware of the students' difficulties in understanding and using vocabulary and that the current English syllabus does not cope sufficiently with English vocabulary needs. The study ended in some recommendations and suggestions for further studies. One of the most important recommendation is that Pual Nation′s Vocabulary test (VLT) should be taken by Secondary Schools Administration and teachers as a tool to assess the students English vocabulary size. Teachers must take over the responsibilities of their own development since they have a positive impact on English language teaching and learning.
