The study was aimed at investigating the impact of teaching methods on academic performance of students in learning English in Kirima secondary school in Kanungu District. The research was based on three main objectives namely; determining the impact of teaching methods on academic performance of students in English subjects, explain various teaching methods used in English subject, suggest some effective teaching methods used in secondary school, subjects. The researcher used descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative data management approaches. The research was based on a sample size of 220 respondents selected using the purposive sample and simple random sampling procedures from Kirima Secondary School teachers and students. The researcher used questionnaire and interviewing methods of data collection in generating the information. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS tool to for determining the reliability and data analysis. Basing on the study conducted by the researcher, the following findings were made; poor performances in English is as a result of English teacher’s characteristics which includes teaching methods, attitudes, experience, training, availability of teaching resources. A student characteristic includes influence by parents, teachers and peers, interest attitude, expectation and discipline of students. School characteristic include average class size, adequacy of facilities of English and English teachers. Conclusion, Teaching/learning should involve activities aimed at helping students to arrive at the learning outcome. This depends on the method the teacher uses to teach. The teacher should approach his/her lesson in the way students are alert and active to avoid boredom and this will enhance participation. Teachers should also start their lesson from known to unknown and this will make students grasp the subject content quickly. Respondent from Kirima Senior Secondary School are not far from the authors. According to their views, teaching methods contribute in a greater extent to poor performance in English.