scholarly journals Using Graphic Organizers (GOs) for Developing EFL Critical Reading Skills among First Year Secondary Stage Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Kaemanje Thomas

Critical reading is the apex of tertiary education and the chief focus in higher education courses as they prepare adults for the workforce. Without significant improvements in academic preparation and support, many linguistically diverse [LD] students will have higher drop out rates in their first year of college. Developmental reading instruction practices are designed to emphasize moving the first-year LD students from sub-par reading levels towards the application and development of critical reading skills, as demanded by their college courses. Many community colleges across the United States prepare assessments tests in reading and mathematics for most, if not all, newly admitted students. These tests are used as placement guides, especially when the newly admitted applicant�s high school transcript or SAT scores do not demonstrate that the student possesses the critical reading or mathematical ability needed to pass the 70 percentage threshold, an indication of being college ready. This paper argues that teaching critical reading requires embracing students� cultural capital and implementing scaffolds that will support the Adult Linguistic Diverse learner/students (ALDl/s). Results from this study indicated that both intrinsic values and instructor�s disposition influence the ALD learner attitudes related to developed critical reading performance. These findings indicate that using multiple instructional mediums [MiMs] had a positive impact on students� critical reading skills and contributed to the ALD learners� comprehension, motivation, and critical reading skills.Keywords: critical literacy; community college; developmental reading; language minority students; adult linguistic diverse learner; culturally relevant teaching; cultural capital.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. p30
Author(s):  
Majed Barashid

This study investigated the potential effect of a graphic organizers-based instructional program on Saudi EFL students’ critical reading skills. To this end, the researcher followed a quasi-experimental design. The sample of the study included 43 freshmen Saudi male students attending the Technology College of Al-Jouf. To carry out this study, the sample was divided into two groups. The first group, which consisted of 21 students, were assigned as the experimental group, while the second group, which consisted of 22 students, were assigned as the control group. The experimental group received treatment through a graphic organizers-based instructional program (i.e., Venn diagram, KWL chart, fishbone, concept mapping, and circle map) for eight weeks, whereas the control was taught using the more conventional method (i.e., using the teacher’s book). To collect the data, the researcher used a validated tool, viz. a pre- and post-tests which evaluate critical reading skills. The findings showed that the graphic organizers’ strategies contributed significantly towards the development of students’ critical reading skills. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that EFL teachers should take graphic organizers into consideration when teaching reading skills. Further empirical studies on the effects that graphic organizers have on the critical reading skills of other levels of student in other regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (71) ◽  
pp. 159-174
Author(s):  
SULTAN . ◽  
Ahmad ROFIUDDIN ◽  
NURHADI . ◽  
Endah Tri PRIYATNI

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