The Effect of E-Learning Sessions on the Development of Reading Comprehension: A Case of EFL Students’ Perceptions at Saudi Electronic University

This study investigated Saudi EFL university students’ perceptions toward the development of reading comprehension through e-learning sessions. A cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized and distributed to a sample of 140 participants at Saudi Electronic University. Descriptive statistics, independent sample paired t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that EFL university students had positive perceptions of the use of online sessions to practice the reading comprehension skill. The majority agreed that reading comprehension strategies such as skimming and scanning were more appropriate to online sessions. E-learning helped these students to be more motivated and created an atmosphere conducive to independent learning. The participants appreciated the role of online sessions in enhancing their reading comprehension skills and facilitating the level of difficulty of any reading passage. Significant differences were identified relating to the respondents’ gender and academic year. Female students were more satisfied with e-learning than male students. It is recommended that in light of the rapid growth of e-learning in Saudi Arabia, educational institutions should provide online learning programs and develop well-structured courses for e-learning implementation.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the affective filter of EFL learners in an online classroom

Introduction: the integration of technology in language teaching, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the search for different pedagogical strategies. Due to this drastic change in education along with the rapid access to online resources have placed technology as the most important tool in teaching. Therefore, when planning a class, the teacher must consider digital tools and dynamic methodologies to streamline and motivate students to reduce their affective filter. Objective: the current research aims to determine the effectiveness of Kahoot in the reduction of the impact of the EFL students’ affective filter. Methods: this study developed applied research with a mixed method approach and descriptive scope, with a quasi-experimental design. 42 students actively participated. For the data gathering, two main tools of data collection were used, namely a survey to look for information about the impact of students’ affective filter during the virtual classes and a pre and post-test based on reading comprehension to check the students’ English performance. Conclusions: the students are facing negative experiences in their learning of English because their affective filter is high. Besides, after the intervention phase with the use of Kahoot, the students improved their English performance in the reading comprehension skill. Therefore, it is suggested to continue sampling innovative technological resources to enhance students’ performance.

The Influence of the School Literacy Movement, Reading Interest, and Reading Materials on Reading Comprehension Skill of Class XI Students of MAN Bengkulu City Academic Year 2020/2021

This study aims to determine the influence of the School Literacy Movement, reading interest, and reading materials on reading comprehension skills. This study uses descriptive method and quantitative approach, and also multiple regression technique. The population in this study amounted to 278 students. The sample is 74 students taken by random sampling. Data collection technique used instruments in the form of questionnaires and tests. The data analysis technique used multiple regression. The results showed that there were (1) significant influence between School Literacy Movement on reading comprehension skill, (2) significant influence of reading interest on reading comprehension skill, (3) significant influence of reading material on reading comprehension skill. Thus, it can be concluded that there is a significant influence of the School Literacy Movement, reading interest, and reading materials simultaneously on reading comprehension skill.

An Investigation on the Comprehension of English Idioms Among Moi Primary School Children in Nairobi

The competence in identifying and comprehending the meaning of idiomatic expressions developed at an early age. However, second language learners reach the comprehension skill differently within the age and at pace. There are many unresolved questions regarding the age which children start to comprehend L2 idioms. The objective of this study was to investigate the age at which children in Moi primary school in Nairobi were able to identify and comprehend the meaning of English idioms. The 60 participants were selected using purposive sampling. The children were divided into three age groups: 5-8 years old, 9-12 years old, and 13-16 years old. The participants were balanced in gender and level of formal education. They were asked to identify the correct non-literal meaning of the 20 idioms presented. It was reported that the group with an age range from 5-8 years old scored the lowest among the other.The findings showed that as early as five years of old (preschool age), children begin to understand some kinds of idiomatic expressions and that such ability slowly develops throughout childhood. At the age of 9, children mainly interpreted idioms literally. By the age of 12, they started to understand the non-literal meanings of idiomatic expressions correctly and continued to expand until the age of 16. It implied that age is a factor in the comprehension of idioms among children. Therefore, exposure to language input is vital in the process of early acquisition. The study provides pedagogical observation on early language acquisition. This study also assists the language teachers and language practitioners and material developers in decision making that lead to the development of a better curriculum.

A Study on Improving Listening Comprehension for Students at Ho Chi Minh University of Food Industry

The purpose of the research is to particularly investigate the effectiveness and the views of students at Ho Chi Minh University of Food Industry about improving their listening comprehension skill through English songs. The reason of choosing this topic for all intents and purposes is based on difficult issues in listening skill. There mostly is no dying that listening plays an important role for students, and they are considering listening important and difficult. The target of research was the students at Ho Chi Minh University of Food. A questionnaire was distributed to students participating in the survey in order to answer the research question, which particularly is quite significant. Based on the research findings, the students generally agree to the help of the songs during the learning process. This can be seen in participants’ responses. The students believe that every aspect of the songs could be used to help them develop sort of better listening skill. In another word, listening English songs particularly has the benefit to improve listening comprehension skill.

Identifying the Instructional Strategies Used in Teaching the Reading Skill in Teaching the Arabic Language Courses in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: تحديد استراتيجيات مهارة القراءة المستخدمة في تعليم مقررات اللغة العربية بالمملكة العربية السعودية

This study aimed at identifying the instructional strategies used in teaching the reading skill in teaching the Arabic language courses in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the different grades of the elementary, intermediate and secondary stages. To achieve this aim, the survey method was used by surveying the literature and related studies that dealt with methods of teaching the reading skill. The results of the study revealed some strategies that are suitable for the reading skill and its aims in education in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These strategies are the correct reading skill and the quality of the reading performance, the strategies of vocabulary acquisition, and the strategies of reading comprehension skill and its analysis and evaluation. The study recommended conducting similar studies that deal with identifying the strategies suitable for teaching the other Arabic language skills: writing, speaking and listening.

THE CIRC TECHNIQUE AND LEARNING MOTIVATION FOR IMPROVING STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS

<p>This research aims to know the effect of the CIRC technique and learning motivation on reading comprehension skills at State Senior High School in Pandeglang Regency. The research method which is conducted is an experimental study with two-way ANOVA. The samples were 30 students of SMAN 6 and 30 students of SMAN 8 taken by cluster. The technique of collecting data on each variable was acquired from the test. The data was analyzed by using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA 2x2). The research results show no interactive effects of teaching technique and learning motivation toward reading comprehension skill State Senior High School in Pandeglang Regency with the value of sig 0.01&lt;0.05 and F0 =5.872.<br />Keywords: teaching technique, learning motivation, and reading comprehension skill</p>

DIRECTED READING ACTIVITY (DRA) APPLICATION IN ENGLISH READING COMPREHENSION CLASSROOM

This research manages to analyze the effectiveness of DRA in enhancing students ‘skill in reading comprehension. The researchers carried out the research at SMP N 4 Takengon, in which they found that teachers faced some problems in teaching reading comprehension to students. To figure out the answer, the research applies quantitative research with experimental approach. After statistically obtaining and interpreting the data, the study concludes that Directed Reading Activity (DRA) method is able to increase students reading comprehension skill. This is because that Directed Reading Activity (DRA) is a teacher strategy in reading comprehension that emphasizes on instructional support before, during, and aftermath the reading. Meanwhile, the research found that this strategy is also able to increase and build stronger student vocabulary and reading skill. In conclusion, the DRA strategy is effective in improving students’ ability in reading comprehension, and also building their vocabulary.