Reading comprehension difficulties among Arab learners of English as a foreign language in UniSZA and UMT
One of the most significant problems faced by instructors is reading deficiency in English texts among the university students. This situation reflects the students' poor academic performance. It is assumed that learners who are unable to read and comprehend, face many challenges during their s...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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| Summary: | One of the most significant problems faced by instructors is reading deficiency in English texts among the university students. This situation reflects the students' poor academic performance. It is assumed that learners who are unable to read and comprehend, face many challenges during their studies and after graduation. This study aims to investigate reading comprehension difficulties among Arab EFL learners in UniSZA and UMT. The study employed explanatory sequential mixed method approach, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, in which reading test and semi-structure interview were used to collect data as research tools. Probability sampling was used to select the reading test respondents while purposive non¬probability sampling was used to select the interview respondents. Altogether, 100 out of 281 Arab students of UniSZA and UMT were selected to participate in responding to the questionnaire, and 10 students were selected to participate in interview. Cross tabulation and thematic approach were used to analyze data from the reading test and interview respectively. Findings from the reading test indicated that the major reading comprehension difficulty faced by the Arab EFL learners is inability to recognIze the types of text. It was also found that the Arab EFL learners' prior knowledge help them In reading comprehension to a medium extent and grammatical knowledge help them In reading comprehension to a high extent. Findings from the interview showed that the most commonly used reading strategies among Arab EFL learners are the use of Google translate and dictionary, grammar books, and social media. Arab EFL learners utilize the above mentioned reading strategies to resolve their English reading comprehension difficulties, This study concludes that the reading comprehension difficulties faced by Arab EFL learner and using reading strategies in the selected institutions could affect their English language proficiency and academic performance. To address this phenomenon, there is a need for collective efforts of English language teachers, curriculum designers, educationists, education policy makers, and Arab EFL learners themselves. |
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| Physical Description: | xiii, 161 leaves; 30 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-143) |