scholarly journals The Effects of Situational and Perceived Interest on EFL Reading Comprehension: A Gender-Based Study at the University of Algiers 2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Akhrib ◽  
Fatma Zohra Mebtouche Nedjai

This study aims to investigate gender differences in English as a foreign language (EFL) reading comprehension, situational and perceived interest for gender-oriented passages. It also examines whether any gender variances in situational or perceived interest in those passages cause gender differences in EFL reading comprehension. Throughout this research, clear insights about individual differences and the unexplained variance in foreign language reading are provided. Two main research questions were formulated: (a) Do gender differences in EFL students’ situational interest explain gender differences in EFL students’ reading comprehension? (b) Do gender differences in EFL students’ PI explain gender differences in EFL students’ reading comprehension? In this concern, EFL freshmen students at the University of Algiers 2, including 35 females and 24 males, were conveniently selected. The selected materials were two tests of reading comprehension with male and female texts. Each of these tests was followed by the questionnaires of sources of interest and perceived interest, adapted from Brantmeier (2006). Findings revealed significant gender differences in tests with male and female passages. Besides, significant gender differences found in cohesion, prior knowledge, ease of recollection, and perceived interest for both male and female passages in addition to engagement for the female text did not account for gender differences in reading comprehension of their respective tests. In this way, other factors than situational and perceived interest would explain gender differences in reading comprehension.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 480-497
Author(s):  
Mohammed Akhrib ◽  
Fatma Zohra Mebtouche Nedjai

This study aims to investigate gender differences in English as a foreign language (EFL) reading comprehension, situational and perceived interest for gender-oriented passages. It also examines whether any gender variances in situational or perceived interest in those passages cause gender differences in EFL reading comprehension. Throughout this research, clear insights about individual differences and the unexplained variance in foreign language reading are provided. Two main research questions were formulated: (a) Do gender differences in EFL students’ situational interest explain gender differences in EFL students’ reading comprehension? (b) Do gender differences in EFL students’ PI explain gender differences in EFL students’ reading comprehension? In this concern, EFL freshmen students at the University of Algiers 2, including 35 females and 24 males, were conveniently selected. The selected materials were two tests of reading comprehension with male and female texts. Each of these tests was followed by the questionnaires of sources of interest and perceived interest, adapted from Brantmeier (2006). Findings revealed significant gender differences in tests with male and female passages. Besides, significant gender differences found in cohesion, prior knowledge, ease of recollection, and perceived interest for both male and female passages in addition to engagement for the female text did not account for gender differences in reading comprehension of their respective tests. In this way, other factors than situational and perceived interest would explain gender differences in reading comprehension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-430

The current paper aimed to investigate taboo language using animal names in Facebook Messenger in the Jordanian setting based on the context where it appeared. A total of (100) male and female university students answered a questionnaire devised to examine the way how students use taboo language. It was noticed that "pig" recorded the highest frequency of occurrence comprising (11.59) of the total number of the taboo words followed by "dog" and "bitch". Important differences were observed in the frequency and use of taboo words by male (68. 8 %) and female (32.2%) students. The study explained the reasons why such words were deemed taboo in the Jordanian setting taking into consideration the socio-cultural and religious norms of the society. The study also concluded that taboo language was used to express different themes such as humor, relaxation, anger and abuse. Keywords: Taboo Language, Gender Differences, Themes, Socio-Pragmatic, Facebook Messenger.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Zulfadli Abdul Aziz ◽  
Husnul Khatimah

This research showed many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in Aceh struggle in learning English writing as they had a lack of interest in it. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to find out in what ways Facebook Group might facilitate the enjoyment of the students in learning this skill. The data were collected using interviews and was analyzed through thematic analysis. The interview was done one by one at a time. Ten students from UIN Ar-Raniry were purposely chosen for the interviews in this research. The research findings show that there are four themes found that caused the participants enjoyment of the learning writing in the group: (1) it provides unlimited timing; (2) it facilitates the participants’ freedom and creativity; (3) it provides the interactive feedback; and (4) it helps them in brainstorming the ideas. These four themes directly enhance the students’ situational interest in learning writing that related to an environmental factor, but it results in the development of their individual interest. This research suggests that the teacher should combine the learning process in the classroom with the Facebook group media to fasten the enhancement of the learners’ writing skills. For the learners, it is suggested that they should utilize their social media such as Facebook group not only as their communication media but also for developing their learning in writing.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-401
Author(s):  
Abusaied Janfaza ◽  
Yousof Rezaei ◽  
Afshin Soori

This study tries to investigate the relationship between the male and female language performance and the level of anxiety among Iranian EFL students. The participants of the current study were 26 Iranian EFL students studying English in Islamic Azad University, Larestan, Iran who were selected in terms of the administering of an Oxford Placement Test. Then, the students were given The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale. Finally, they were given an English class test which consisted of 40 multiple-choice items. The researcher calculated the correlation between the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale and the performance of both Iranian male and female students on English Class test. The findings indicated that there was a negative correlation between the level of anxiety and the students' performance on English Class Test scores. Moreover, Iranian male students were more anxious in learning English than female students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 54-67
Author(s):  
Kaukab Abid Azhar ◽  
Nayab Iqbal

The study aims at studying gender differences in the ways male and female students take turns and participate in a mixed-gender classroom. Two groups of first-year English compulsory classes held at two different departments (Geography and Economics) at the University of Karachi took part in the study. The results revealed that in the Geography Department, where there was a female teacher, male students were more dominating as compared to the female students who hardly participated in the class. They took more turns and participated better in the classroom discussion. In addition, they also interrupted the teacher and the female counterparts when they tried to contribute to the discussion. On the other hand, at the Department of Economics, female students had more number of turns. They dominated the classroom as compared to the male students. Besides, the study revealed that the gender of the teacher played an important part in shaping the discourse taking place in the classroom.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-50
Author(s):  
Juan David Castaño-Roldán ◽  
Doris Correa

This qualitative study explored the gains and challenges experienced by an interdisciplinary group of English as a foreign language students who participated in the implementation of a critical reading unit taught within a reading comprehension course at a university in Medellín, Colombia. To do this, video-recordings of all lessons, samples of students’ work, and students’ reflections were collected. Results show that students experienced several gains but also had some challenges related to aligning with the author’s position, seeing positionality in factual texts, and taking middle positions. These results suggest that even though it is not only possible but beneficial to do critical reading with undergraduate English as a foreign language students, there are some specific areas in which these students need additional support.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Abby Deng-Huei Lee

To evaluate the sensitivity of multiple-choice cloze (MCC) tests that use different types of items—syntactic, semantic, and connective—to assess reading ability, 170 English as a foreign language (EFL) students in a vocational college in Taiwan were recruited. The students were divided into two groups (level A and level B) based on their scores on 4 classroom reading comprehension tests. Both groups then took 9 MCC tests that included a total of 50 cloze questions. Connective items were most sensitive for assessing reading ability. Research results and pedagogical applications are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (spe) ◽  
pp. 170-176
Author(s):  
Bridget Ogowewo ◽  
Samuel Noh ◽  
Hayley Hamilton ◽  
Bruna Brands ◽  
Denise Gastaldo ◽  
...  

Drug use in our society seems to be a growing concern. Hence the concern of the ES/CICAD and CAMH to sponsor Multicentric Research projects for which this is one. This study therefore sought to determine gender differences for peer influence on drug use among students from one university in Guyana. A survey was applied to 263 university students selected by a purposive sampling. Mean, percentage, cross-tab, t- test and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis. Drug use by male and female participants was minimal. Gender was not significantly different in the level of peer influence. But it was significantly different in the use of illicit drug and in its association with the relationship between peer influence and drug use. The result of this study had curriculum implications. Based on the sampling technique, it was recommended that a similar study be carried out in a wider community outside of the university.


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