Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to investigate the readability of grade eleven textbooks and
the students’ comprehension ability using them. One hundred students and ten Civics and
Ethical Education teachers, ten Biology teachers and ten Chemistry teachers from Hotie
Preparatory and Secondary School in Dessie town were selected for the study. To achieve the
objective of the study, the readability of the textbooks was assessed using the Coh-Metrix
readability formula. Besides, to identify the students’ level of comprehension, multiple-choice
cloze tests were administered. Finally, other factors, prior knowledge of the students,
students’ motivation and organization of the contents that affect the readability of the
textbooks were assessed through questionnaires. The results of Coh -Metrix formula showed
that the three textbooks are difficult for students to read and comprehend at their level. The
cloze test result also showed that the students’ comprehension level is at frustration level.
The textbooks are difficult for them to read and comprehend even with the help of their
teachers. Finally, the finding from students and teachers responses to questionnaires showed
that other factors, prior knowledge of the students, students’ motivation and organization of
the contents that affect the readability of the textbooks are appropriately considered in the
textbooks. From the result, it is concluded that Chemistry, Biology as well as Civics and
Ethical Education textbooks are not readable. The textbooks are also not suitable to be used
for instructional purpose. Based on the result, it is recommended that students should be
helped in reading by revising and simplifying the textbooks. Teachers should also prepare
notes for their students adding appropriate word frequencies, high type- token ratio verbs,
appropriate vocabularies and simple sentences. It is also suggested that the textbook
designers should assess the level of the students’ comprehension ability when the textbooks
are designed so that students benefit from reading the textbooks. The textbook designers
should also carefully asses the readability of textbooks in detail and should include
information in textbooks to inform teachers about the readability level of the textbooks so that
they can prepare themselves to help their students to comprehend the textbooks.
