Reading Comprehension Strategies of Literature Texts Employed by English Language & Literature Majors at An-Najah National University

Reading Comprehension Strategies of Literature Texts Employed by English Language & Literature Majors at An-Najah National University

Khuloud Ahmad Isma'el Al-Asmar This study aimed at examining the reading comprehension strategies that are employed by the English majors at An-Najah National University while reading literature texts. The population of the study consisted of all third year students registered in "Eighteenth Century Literature" course at AN-Najah National University. The sample of the study consisted of (57) students: (13) males, (44) females. This investigation into the thoughtful process of comprehension aimed at exploring the way students comprehend literary texts. the type of strategies that are used and contribute more to comprehension, types of problems they encounter, and the effect of gender and specialization in school on the usage of strategies. In addition, the research aimed at investigating the effect of participation in the Think-aloud Protocol. gender and specialization in school on comprehension of literary texts. To answer these questions, the Think-aloud Protocol experiment was carried out on individual basis. Students' thinking-aloud was recorded by a tape-recorder. Protocols were analyzed using the Strategy Model Sheet developed by the researcher. The results were also analyzed with respect to participants' gender and specialization at school. A Cloze test was also used to assess the students' attainment in the reading comprehension strategies. The test was validated, and the reliability coefficient was (0.75), using test-retest technique. A Two-way Univariate (T-Test) Analysis of variance was employed in analyzing the data obtained, using the program of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). In the light of the findings of the study, it was recommended that English majors should be given the opportunity to choose between two major specializations -- literature or language. It was also recommended that English Department hold a compulsory reading course for those who want to go through with English literature as a major specialization. It was also recommended that a language laboratory should be established by the university administration. The researcher also recommended that other studies be carried out to assess the reading comprehension strategies taught at preliminary stages at school, detect the effect of achievement level on the reading comprehension process and detect the effect of students' specialization and their use of strategies. Khuloud Ahmad Isma'el Al-Asmar Supervisor Dr. Suzanne Arafat 2000 Zajel / An-Najah National University