Search

An Investigation of Reading Strategies Employed by Chinese EFL Learners

Author(s)

Huanxu Xun, Huimin Shi*

Affiliation(s)

College of International Studies and Education, Tongren University, Tongren, Guizhou, China *Corresponding Author.

Abstract

Reading is a very important skill in second language learning. At the same time, the focus of foreign language learning has turned to "how to learn a foreign language well". The purpose of this study were to investigate the use of reading strategies by English majors in Tongren University, to examine the differences between achieving learners and underachieving learners in using reading strategies, and to further analyse the reasons for the differences in using reading strategies between the two groups of learners. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, and analysed by descriptive statistics, independent sample T test and content analysis for three research questions. The results show that the overall frequency of learners using reading strategies was at a medium level. Besides, there was a significant difference in the use of reading strategies between achieving learners and underachieving learners (p≤0.05). Moreover, the reading strategies were used for the following reasons: teachers, learning attitude. This study has provided some pedagogical implications for teachers in reading teaching, which can guide learners to use reading strategies properly and effectively.

Keywords

English Majors; Reading Strategy; Reading Course; Pedagogy; Investigation

References

[1]Hu Lingli, A Study on the Correlation between Reading Strategy Teaching and Students' Reading Performance at Grade Nine. Campus English, 2018, (33): 120. [2]Zhang Chaoyang, A Study of English Majors' Reading Comprehension and Reading Strategy Use-Based on the English Reading Trials of the “FLTRP” in 2020. Journal of Changzhi University, 2021, 38 (04):118-123. [3]Yuan Xin, The Influence of Exam-oriented Reading Habits on College Students' Reading Strategies. Journal of Changsha university, 2022, 36 (01): 100-105. [4]Hou Shuang, A Study on the Correlation between Reading Strategies and Academic Performance. Journal of Anshan Normal University, 2021. [5]Zhang Qian, An Empirical Study on College English Reading Strategies. Journal of Changchun University, 2015, 25 (06): 122-125. [6]Wallace, C. Reading. Oxford University Press, 1992 [7]Johson, K and Johson H. A Handbook for Language Teaching. 1988 [8]Zhang Hualing, Ge Minggui, A Survey of Junior Middle School Students' Reading Strategies. Foreign Language Teaching Research in Basic Education 2006, (8). [9]Hosenfeld, Preliminary investigation of the reading strategies of successful and unsuccessful second language learners. 1977, 5 (2), 110-123. [10]O’Malley, J.M. and Chamot, A.U. Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press, Cam-bridge, 1990. [11]He Guanghui, A Study on Metacognitive Awareness and Reading Strategy Employed by College Students in Private Schools. Journal of Zhengzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College, 2022, 34 (03): 98-100. [12]Zhang Chaoyang, A Study of English Majors' Reading Comprehension and Reading Strategy Use —— Based on the English Reading Trials of the “FLTRP” in 2020. Journal of Changzhi University, 2021, 38 (04): 118-123. [13]Wang Xiaojing, Jiang Wanting. Research on College Students' English Reading Strategies in the Mobile Learning Environment. Journal of Taiyuan Urban Vocational College, 2021, (06): 89-91. [14]Oxford, Language learning strategies: what every teacher should know. Rowley, Mass: Newbury House, 1990. [15]Qin Xiaoqing, The Questionnaire for Foreign Language Teaching. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2009. [16]Lin Ying, Study on the Correlation between College Students' English Reading Anxiety, Strategies and Achievements. Journal of Taiyuan Urban Vocational College, 2022, (02): 155-157. [17]Liu Dandan. A Study on Reading Strategies of English Learners in China. Foreign Languages, 2002, (06): 13-18. [18]Wu Xiaoli, The Application of Reading Strategies in College English Teaching. Anhui Literature, 2018, (10): 163-16. [19]Liu Yuna, A Study on the Relationship between Metacognitive Strategies and Students' Reading Performance at Junior High School. Campus English, 2023, (03): 40-42. [20]Liu Nina, The Correlation between English Reading Strategies and Reading Achievements. Overseas English, 2020, (03): 36-37. [21]Zhu E, Yao Guomin, Tao Dan, The Differences between Successful Scholars and Unsuccessful Scholars in English Reading Strategies. Journal of Sichuan University of Arts and Science, 2007, (s1): 69-7. [22]Fan Fei, An Empirical Study on the Differences in the Use of English Reading Strategies. Journal of Yangzhou College of Education, 2013, 31 (04): 72-75.