scholarly journals Comparing the impacts of various inputs(I + 1 & I-1) on pre-intermediate EFL learners’ Reading comprehension and Reading motivation: the case of Ahvazi learners

Author(s):  
Ehsan Namaziandost ◽  
Mehdi Nasri ◽  
Meisam Ziafar

AbstractConsidering the vital role of comprehensible input, this study attempted to compare the effects of input with various difficulty levels on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension and reading motivation. To fulfil this objective, 54 Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners were selected from two intact classes (n = 27 each). The selected participants were randomly assigned to two equal groups, namely “i + 1″ (n = 27) and “i-1″ group (n = 27). Then, the groups were pretested by a researcher-made reading comprehension test. After carrying out the pre-test, the treatment (i.e., extensive reading at different levels of difficulty) was practiced on the both groups. The participants in “i + 1″ group received reading passages beyond the current level, on the other hand, the “i-1″ group received those reading passages which were below their current level. After the instruction ended, a modified version of pre-test was conducted as posttest to determine the impacts of the treatment on the students’ reading comprehension. The obtained results indicated that there was a significant difference between the post-tests of “i + 1″ and “i-1″ groups. The findings showed that the “i + 1″ group significantly outperformed the “i-1″ group (p < .05) on the post-test. Moreover, the findings indicated that “i + 1″ group’s motivation increased after the treatment. The implications of the study suggest that interactive type of input is beneficial to develop students’ language skills.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Namaziandost ◽  
Fariba Rahimi Esfahani ◽  
Mehdi Nasri

Considering the vital role of comprehensible input, this study attempted to compare the effects of input with various difficulty levels on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension and reading motivation. To fulfil this objective, 54 Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners were selected from two intact classes (n = 27 each). The selected participants were randomly assigned to two equal groups, namely “i+1” (n=27) and “i-1” group (n=27). Then, the groups were pretested by a researcher-made reading comprehension test. After carrying out the pre-test, the treatment (i.e., extensive reading at different levels of difficulty) was practiced on the both groups. The participants in “i+1” group received reading passages beyond the current level, on the other hand, the “i-1” group received those reading passages which were below their current level. After the instruction ended, a modified version of pre-test was conducted as posttest to determine the impacts of the treatment on the students’ reading comprehension. The obtained results indicated that there was a significant difference between the post-tests of “i+1” and “i-1” groups. The findings showed that the “i+1” group significantly outperformed the “i-1” group (p < .05) on the post-test. Moreover, the findings indicated that “i+1” group’s motivation increased after the treatment. The implications of the study suggest that interactive type of input is beneficial to develop students’ language skills. Keywords: Comprehensible Input; Extensive reading; Foreign language reading motivation; Input; Reading comprehension; Text difficulty level


Author(s):  
Maryam Danaye Tous ◽  
Abdorreza Tahriri ◽  
Sara Haghighi

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of instruction through debate on the male and female EFL learners’ reading comprehension, and to examine the difference between male and female EFL learners’ perception towards instructing critical thinking (CT) through debate. 88 learners, out of 120, were selected through convenience sampling method. Using a quantitative research method with experimental pre-and post-tests design, this study consisted of 44 participants in the experimental group and 44 participants in the control group. The experimental group received some treatment in the form of “the Meeting-House Debate” strategy, while the control group received no such treatment. After one month and a half treatment of experimental group, both groups participated in the post-test. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics procedures. Findings showed that the debate strategy had statistically significant effect on the students’ reading comprehension. Also, results revealed that there was no significant difference between male and female EFL learners’ perception towards instructing CT through debate. It was concluded that instructing CT skills through debate strategy resulted in better understanding of reading texts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (33) ◽  
pp. e15298
Author(s):  
Elahe Salehi ◽  
Ali-Reza Ameri ◽  
Gholam-Reza Abbasian

The study scrutinized the effect of individual and group-based expectations on EFL learners' self-image and reading comprehension. This study explored the effectuality of individual expectations and group-based expectations in improving self-image and reading comprehension among EFL learners. To do so, 50 out of 120 Iranian EFL learners were chosen as the sample of the study and they were divided into two groups of Individual-based Expectation Instruction and Group-based Expectation Instruction, received five sessions of instruction along with some types of expectations and took two types of reading and self-image tests as a pre- and post-test. In general, the results showed no significant difference between the two groups’ mean scores on the post-test of self-image. The results revealed that the individual expectation group significantly outperformed the group-based expectation group on the post-test of reading comprehension. The findings suggest that using different forms of expectations in language classes can be instrumental in improving the students’ self-image and reading comprehension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Behnaz Raji

This study examined the effect of Jigsaw technique as a part of cooperative learning on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension. To this end, 40 intermediate participants were selected out of 73 EFL learners based on the results of Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT). The participants were divided into two groups; control and experimental. Then, the participants of both groups were pretested on reading comprehension. After pre-testing, the cooperative learning activities (Jigsaw technique) were practiced with the participants of the experimental group during 5 sessions. The experimental participants were assigned to five-member teams to work on reading texts. Each team member read an assigned section and then members from different teams who had studied the same sections met in ‘expert groups’ to discuss their sections. Then, students returned to their own teams and taught their team-mates about their section. On the other hand, the control group received traditional teacher-fronted instruction throughout the classroom time. After the treatment sessions, a teacher-made reading comprehension post-test was given to the participants of both groups to measure their reading comprehension ability after the treatment. The results of paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group on the post-test. The findings also showed that there was a significant difference between the post-tests of both groups in favor of the experimental group.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kourosh Akef ◽  
Maryam Kherad Ranjbar

<p>This study focused on the comparative impact of teaching reading comprehension and translation practice on EFL learners’ grammar achievement since previous studies have not directly dealt with the respective subject. In this study the total number of learners was 60 students attending in Poyandegan Rahe Kish institute. The current study utilized quantitative research methods to explore the implications of reading comprehension and translation by comparing their success rates in terms of grammar. Sixty participants out of 120 after going through a proficiency test for homogenization and a pilot test on the grammar questionnaire were divided into two experimental groups receiving instruction on reading comprehension in one group and translation in another each in 12 sessions (two sessions dedicated for pre and post test). At the end of the treatment, sample TOEFL grammar questionnaires were administered to both groups. To test the hypothesis, a T-test was employed concluding that the participants who received translation instruction and reading comprehension on grammar achievement. The analysis of data using an independent sample t-test indicated significant difference between the performances of experimental groups. The respective conclusion was that translation had a significant effect on EFL learners’ grammar achievement.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elahe Sadeghi ◽  
Akbar Afghari ◽  
Gholam-Reza Zarei

<p>Reading comprehension has been the main concern for second language learners and researchers. Today with rising interests towards Vygotskyan Sociocultural Theory (SCT), attempts have been made to insert Vygotskyan approach into Foreign/Second Language classrooms emphasizing the role of scaffolding and meaningful interactions to promote learners’ comprehension. Having this on mind, the current study used shadow-reading as a means of meaning internalization to see if it affects on reading comprehension. To this end, 52 junior EFL learners from two universities were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. A pretest of reading comprehension including 4 reading passages with 20 Multiple Choice items was administered to the learners to see if they were at the similar level of reading comprehension. During 10 sessions, the learners were provided with shadow-reading strategy in which they were required to listen and repeat the passage in a well-disciplined imitative task and, then summarize what they had comprehended from the text. A reading comprehension post test was also administered at the end of the semester after 10 sessions of conducting shadowing. The data of the first and the last sessions was analysed. The findings of the study showed that shadow-reading has significantly influenced learners’ comprehension. The results also lent support to Vygotskyan theory in that using shadowing as a means of meaningful imitation and interaction facilitates comprehension among learners. The results also shed light on the way through which instructors try to promote learners’ comprehension. It seems that shadow reading due to its sociocultural traits can be used as an appropriate means of promoting reading comprehension all over the world.</p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-36
Author(s):  
Lasim Muzammil ◽  
Andy Andy

Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) is quite essential to improve EFL learners’ speaking ability. It can be done successfully by means of the basic concept of TPRS known as comprehensible input in second language acquisition (SLA). This paper presents a study on learners’ speaking ability through TPRS making use of three important steps; Showing, Telling, and Reading. This is a quantitative study using quasi-experimental as the two intact groups are used; experimental and control group. The data are obtained from pre-test, post-test and questionnaires viewed from both students’ and teachers’ perspective. The data from pre-test and post-test are analyzed by using independent sample t-test. The experimental and control are ascertained to be homogenous in term of English performance from the pre-test analysis. The post-test are carried out from both groups after the treatment and the the result of the test are compared in order to prove if the null hypothesis is rejected indicating that there is significant difference performance between the two groups. The result of the study is expected to be beneficial for English teachers, EFL learners, and further researchers. Keywords: Speaking Skill, Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS)


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Neisi ◽  
Mehrnnoosh Hajijalili ◽  
Ehsan Namaziandost

This study aimed to investigate the impact of inverted classrooms on promoting Iranian EFL learners’ extensive and intensive reading comprehension. To fulfil, 60 Iranian upper-intermediate EFL students out of 90 were chosen based on an Oxford Quick Placement Test. The selected participants were randomly divided into two experimental groups; intensive reading group (n=20) and extensive reading group (n=20), and a control group (n=20). Then, the three groups were pretested. After that, the researcher put the participants of both experimental groups in two inverted classrooms. Each inverted classroom was equipped with Internet, computer and projector and participants in this classroom were allowed to bring their Smartphones to the classroom and use them during learning. On the other hand, the control group receive no treatment and were taught in traditional instruction. The results of paired samples t-test and one-way ANOVA revealed that both experimental groups had better performance on their post-test compared to their pre-test. The results showed that there was not a significant difference between the performances of the experimental groups on the post-test. Finally, implications arising from the findings and suggestions for further research were explained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-120
Author(s):  
Ehsan Namaziandost ◽  
Maryam Khodaverdian Dehkordi ◽  
Poupak Alipour ◽  
Shouket Ahmad Tilwani

Abstract This study investigated the impact of spaced and massed instruction on foreign language reading motivation and reading attitude among Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners. To fulfil this objective, 60 Iranian participants were chosen among 120 students based on the results of Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT). The selected pre-intermediate participants were then divided into two equal experimental groups: spaced group and massed group. Afterwards, the researcher measured the participants’ reading motivation and reading attitude by administering a reading motivation questionnaire and a reading attitude survey as a pre-test. Then, both groups received the treatment. During the treatment phase of the study, the massed group was taught the reading comprehension in an intensive 60-minute session, while the spaced group was taught in three short sessions (twenty-minute session). After the instruction, a reading motivation questionnaire and a reading attitude survey as a post-test were carried out to both groups and finally the data were analyzed by running paired and independent sample t-tests. The outcomes demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the post-tests of spaced and massed groups. The findings indicated that the spaced group significantly out performed the massed group (p < .05) on the reading motivation and reading attitude post-test. The implications of this study make teachers know that teaching through spaced periods can produce better outcomes than teaching through one massed session.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 549
Author(s):  
Mohammad Davoudi ◽  
Moslem Zolfagharkhani ◽  
Mojtaba Rezaei

The present study aims at investigating the effects of extensive reading (ER) on language proficiency of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. A Preliminary English Test (PET) was administered to 106 male and female university students. The participants were selected as intermediate learners and were divided into three groups (one control and two experimental groups). During the ten sessions of the treatment, ten short stories (authentic and simplified) were provided to the two homogenous groups (two experimental groups). The first experimental group received authentic reading texts and the second experimental group received simplified reading texts, while the participants of the control group followed the ordinary reading course at the university. All three groups received post-tests administered after the treatment. The results of the t-tests revealed that there is no significant difference in reading scores across the posttest between two experimental groups. The results of ANOVA also revealed that there is a significant difference between the scores of the control group and experimental groups’ participants. Based on the interview result after the post-test, all of the participants (100%) agreed that they had positive attitude toward extensive reading after participating in the treatment sessions. The study suggests, however, students’ curriculum courses should include extensive reading texts in order to develop EFL language proficiency.


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