A Study Of The Iranian Efl Learners' Use Of Reading Strategies
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Raftari, Shohreh
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the use of
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading strategies by the Iranian EFL learners,
and to profile their most and least frequently used reading strategies through
conducting a survey. The study sample consisted of 200 male and female university
and high school students, who were selected conveniently from 4 high schools and 2
universities in the city of Kerman in south east Iran. In collecting the data, 7
instruments (Personal information questionnaire, survey of reading strategies
(SORS), an EFL proficiency test, an EFL reading comprehension test, an L1 reading
comprehension test, interview and think aloud) were used. Based on Pearson
correlation coefficient results, the age of the participants was significantly correlated
with their use of the EFL reading strategies. Furthermore, the quantitative data
analysis through T-test showed that there existed no significant difference in the two
educational, EFL reading comprehension ability, L1 reading comprehension ability
and EFL proficiency groups in their use of SORS strategies. However, there existed a
significant difference between the two daily EFL and the two daily Persian reading
groups (some daily reading, no daily reading) in their use of EFL reading strategies.
The high and low EFL proficiency participants' most and least frequently used SORS
EFL reading strategies were profiled through T-test and mean specification. The
qualitative data were collected through interview and think aloud. The results of the
qualitative data analysis supported the quantitative phase results and extra reading
strategies, which were not listed in SORS, were profiled based on interview and
think aloud analysis. The study implications were that the most important factor in
XXIII
the use of reading strategies is experience which increases through extensive reading
and length of time. As a result, the best method to increase the Iranian EFL learners'
use of EFL reading strategies can be persuading them to read in both their first and
foreign or second languages.
Description
Keywords
EFL Learners , Iranian