The effects of reading method on the comprehension performance of Saudi EFL students
Keywords:
Oral reading, silent reading, subvocalization, reading comprehension, methods of reading, EFL, Saudi ArabiaAbstract
In this study I investigated the relative effects of different reading methods on the comprehension
performance of Saudi EFL 10th grade male students. The scores of participants who read three
comparable passages in three ways (oral, silent and subvocalizing) were compared. Results revealed a
significant difference between oral reading and subvocalization, and between oral reading and silent
reading. Oral reading had the greatest effect on comprehension performance among the three
reading methods examined. All groups reported that oral reading was the most preferred reading
method with the majority of respondents feeling the style best supported comprehension. Feedback
suggested that oral reading was preferred specifically because it helps in memorizing words and texts,
concentration, and practicing and pronouncing words for real world encounters. It is recommended
that second language teachers and students use all available reading methods in order to identify
which method best serves their study objectives.
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References
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Alshumaimeri, Y. (2005). Is reading aloud a faulty habit. Paper presented at the second international
conference: Language, culture and literature, Minia University, Egypt.
Amer, A. (1997). The effect of the teacher's reading aloud on the reading comprehension of EFL
students. ELT Journal, 51(1), 43-47.
Anderson, R.C. & Pearson, P.D. (1984). A schema-theoretic view of basic processes in reading
comprehension. In P.D. Pearson (Ed.), Handbook of Reading Research (pp. 255-292). New York:
Longman.
Bernhardt (1983). Three approaches to reading comprehension in intermediate German. The Modern
Language Journal, 67, 111-115.
Bernhardt, E. B. (1991). Reading development in a second language: Theoretical, empirical, and classroom
perspectives. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.
Carrell, P. L. (1991). Second language reading: Reading ability or language proficiency? Applied
Linguistics, 12(2), 159-79.
Chall, J. (1967). Learning to Read: The Great Debate, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Cho, K.S. & Choi, D.S. (2008). Are Read-Alouds and Free Reading “Natural Partners”? Busan National
University of Education Research Institute, 36(5), 69-73.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education (Sixth ed.). US: New York:
Routledge.
Gibson, S. (2008). Reading aloud: a useful learning tool? ELT Journal, 62(1), 29-36.
Grabe, W. (1991). Current Developments in Second Language Reading Research. TESOL Quarterly,
25(3), 375-406.
Grabe, W. & Stoller, F. L. (2002). Teaching and researching reading. London: Longman.
Hannon, B., & Daneman, M. (2001). A new tool for measuring and understanding individual differences
in the component processes of reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology,
93(1), 103-128.
Hill, L. and Dobbyn, M. (1979). A Teacher Training Course for Teachers of EFL. London, UK: Cassell.
Jackson, N. & Coltheart, M. (2001). Routes to reading success and failure. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
Juel, C. & Holmes, B. (1981). Oral and silent reading of sentences. Reading Research Quarterly, 16(4),
545-568.
Koda, K. (2005). Insights into second language Reading: A cross-linguistics approach. Cambridge, UK:
Cambridge University Press.
Leinhardt, G., Zigmond, N., & Cooley, W. W. (1981). Reading instruction and its effects. American
Educational Research Journal, 18, 343-361.
McCall, W. & Crabbs, L. (1979). Standard Test Lessons in Reading, Book D. New York, US: Teachers
College, Columbia University,
McCallum, R. S., Sharp, S., Bell, S. M., & George, T. (2004). Silent versus oral reading
comprehension and efficiency. Psychology in the Schools, 41(2), 241-246.
Miller, S. D., & Smith, D. E. P. (1985). Differences in literal and inferential comprehension after reading
orally and silently. Journal of Educational Psychology, 77(3), 341-348.
Nuttall, C. (1996). Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language. UK: Heinemann.
Prior, S. M., & Welling, K. A. (2001). "Read in your head": A Vygotskian analysis of the
transition from oral to silent reading. Reading Psychology, 22(1), 1-15.
Rennie, J. (2000). Teaching reading: Oral reading practices as a pedagogical tool in the primary school.
The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 23(3), 197-211.
Reutzel, D. R., Hollingsworth, P. M. & Eldredge, J. L. (1994). Oral Reading Instruction: The Impact on
Student Reading Development. Reading Research Quarterly, 29(1), 40-62.
Rowell, E.H. (1976). Do elementary students read better orally or silently? The Reading Teacher Journal,
29(4), 367-370.
Russell, D. H. (1949). Children Learn to Read. Boston: Ginn and Company.
Saiegh-Haddad, E. (2003). Bilingual oral reading fluency and reading comprehension: The case of
Arabic/Hebrew (LI) -English (L2) readers. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal,
16(8), 717-736.
Taguchi, E., & Gorsuch, G. J. (2002). Transfer effects of repeated EFL reading on reading new passages:
A preliminary investigation. Reading in a Foreign Language, 14(1), 43-65.
Teng, Y. (2009). The Relationship of reading methods and learning styles to Taiwanese 12th Grade
male students’ reading comprehension in English. A Dissertation presented to The Faculty of
the School of Education International and Multicultural Education Department. The University
of San Francisco.
Urquhart, S. & Weir, C. (1998). Reading in a second language: Process, product and practice. London:
Longman.
Warwick, B. E. & Mangubhai, F. (1983). The impact of Reading on second language learning. Reading
Research Quarterly, 19 (1), 53-67.
White (1982). The English Teacher’s Handbook. Walton on Thames: Nelson.
Wilkinson, I. A. G., & Anderson, R. C. (1995). Sociocognitive processes in guided silent reading: A
microanalysis of small-group lessons. Reading Research Quarterly, 30(4), 710-740.
Al-Qurashi, K., Watson, M., Hafseth, J., Hickman, D,. & Pond, R. (1995). ‘English For Saudi Arabia: first year
secondary, Teacher’s book’ .Ministry Of Education Press, Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
Alshumaimeri, Y. (2005). Is reading aloud a faulty habit. Paper presented at the second international
conference: Language, culture and literature, Minia University, Egypt.
Amer, A. (1997). The effect of the teacher's reading aloud on the reading comprehension of EFL
students. ELT Journal, 51(1), 43-47.
Anderson, R.C. & Pearson, P.D. (1984). A schema-theoretic view of basic processes in reading
comprehension. In P.D. Pearson (Ed.), Handbook of Reading Research (pp. 255-292). New York:
Longman.
Bernhardt (1983). Three approaches to reading comprehension in intermediate German. The Modern
Language Journal, 67, 111-115.
Bernhardt, E. B. (1991). Reading development in a second language: Theoretical, empirical, and classroom
perspectives. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.
Carrell, P. L. (1991). Second language reading: Reading ability or language proficiency? Applied
Linguistics, 12(2), 159-79.
Chall, J. (1967). Learning to Read: The Great Debate, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Cho, K.S. & Choi, D.S. (2008). Are Read-Alouds and Free Reading “Natural Partners”? Busan National
University of Education Research Institute, 36(5), 69-73.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education (Sixth ed.). US: New York:
Routledge.
Gibson, S. (2008). Reading aloud: a useful learning tool? ELT Journal, 62(1), 29-36.
Grabe, W. (1991). Current Developments in Second Language Reading Research. TESOL Quarterly,
25(3), 375-406.
Grabe, W. & Stoller, F. L. (2002). Teaching and researching reading. London: Longman.
Hannon, B., & Daneman, M. (2001). A new tool for measuring and understanding individual differences
in the component processes of reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology,
93(1), 103-128.
Hill, L. and Dobbyn, M. (1979). A Teacher Training Course for Teachers of EFL. London, UK: Cassell.
Jackson, N. & Coltheart, M. (2001). Routes to reading success and failure. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
Juel, C. & Holmes, B. (1981). Oral and silent reading of sentences. Reading Research Quarterly, 16(4),
545-568.
Koda, K. (2005). Insights into second language Reading: A cross-linguistics approach. Cambridge, UK:
Cambridge University Press.
Leinhardt, G., Zigmond, N., & Cooley, W. W. (1981). Reading instruction and its effects. American
Educational Research Journal, 18, 343-361.
McCall, W. & Crabbs, L. (1979). Standard Test Lessons in Reading, Book D. New York, US: Teachers
College, Columbia University,
McCallum, R. S., Sharp, S., Bell, S. M., & George, T. (2004). Silent versus oral reading
comprehension and efficiency. Psychology in the Schools, 41(2), 241-246.
Miller, S. D., & Smith, D. E. P. (1985). Differences in literal and inferential comprehension after reading
orally and silently. Journal of Educational Psychology, 77(3), 341-348.
Nuttall, C. (1996). Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language. UK: Heinemann.
Prior, S. M., & Welling, K. A. (2001). "Read in your head": A Vygotskian analysis of the
transition from oral to silent reading. Reading Psychology, 22(1), 1-15.
Rennie, J. (2000). Teaching reading: Oral reading practices as a pedagogical tool in the primary school.
The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 23(3), 197-211.
Reutzel, D. R., Hollingsworth, P. M. & Eldredge, J. L. (1994). Oral Reading Instruction: The Impact on
Student Reading Development. Reading Research Quarterly, 29(1), 40-62.
Rowell, E.H. (1976). Do elementary students read better orally or silently? The Reading Teacher Journal,
29(4), 367-370.
Russell, D. H. (1949). Children Learn to Read. Boston: Ginn and Company.
Saiegh-Haddad, E. (2003). Bilingual oral reading fluency and reading comprehension: The case of
Arabic/Hebrew (LI) -English (L2) readers. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal,
16(8), 717-736.
Taguchi, E., & Gorsuch, G. J. (2002). Transfer effects of repeated EFL reading on reading new passages:
A preliminary investigation. Reading in a Foreign Language, 14(1), 43-65.
Teng, Y. (2009). The Relationship of reading methods and learning styles to Taiwanese 12th Grade
male students’ reading comprehension in English. A Dissertation presented to The Faculty of
the School of Education International and Multicultural Education Department. The University
of San Francisco.
Urquhart, S. & Weir, C. (1998). Reading in a second language: Process, product and practice. London:
Longman.
Warwick, B. E. & Mangubhai, F. (1983). The impact of Reading on second language learning. Reading
Research Quarterly, 19 (1), 53-67.
White (1982). The English Teacher’s Handbook. Walton on Thames: Nelson.
Wilkinson, I. A. G., & Anderson, R. C. (1995). Sociocognitive processes in guided silent reading: A
microanalysis of small-group lessons. Reading Research Quarterly, 30(4), 710-740.
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Published
2017-08-24
How to Cite
Alshumaimeri, Y. (2017). The effects of reading method on the comprehension performance of Saudi EFL students. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 4(1), 185–195. Retrieved from http://www.iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/220
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