SELECTING READING MATERIALS FOR READING CLASS

This paper argues that Arabic function words (FWs) vary in usage between old and modern Arabic, thus prompting an experimental investigation into their changeability. This investigation is carried out by testing classical Arabic (CA) in Arabic heritage language (AHL) texts – those labeled as archistratum – and the modern standard Arabic (MSA) of Arabic newspaper texts (ANT), each group of which contains randomly collected 5 million (M) word texts. The linguistic theory of the grammar of Arabic FWs is explained through the differences between CA and MSA, despite Arabic FW changes and the unlearnability and/or unusability of some FW constructions between in these two eras of Arabic usage. The dispersion/distribution of the construction grammar (CxG) of FWs and the number (n) of word attractions/repulsions between the two distinct eras is explored using the very latest and most sophisticated Arabic corpus processing tools, and Sketch Engine’sSkeEn gramrelsoperators. The analysis of a 5 M word corpus from each era of Arabic serves to prove the non-existence of rigorous Arabic CxG. The approach in this study adopts a technique which, by contrasting AHL with ANT, relies on analyzing the frequency distributions of FWs, the co-occurrences of FWs in a span of 2n-grams collocational patterning, and some cases of FW usage changes in terms of lexical cognition (FW grammatical relationships). The results show that the frequencies of FWs, in addition to the case studies, are not the same, and this implies that FWs and their associations with the main part of speech class in a fusion language like Arabic have grammatically changed in MSA. Their constructional changes are neglected in Arabic grammar.

The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ awareness of reading strategies in ‘Communicative English Skills’ (CES) across three Ethiopian universities. A sample of 600 first year regular students and 72 English language teachers were part of the research population. The sample of students was obtained through a random sampling technique (lottery method) and the teachers were selected using a purposive sampling technique; respectively. A descriptive quantitative research design was used for this study. Thus, the data were collected through questionnaires from students and their English teachers. Quantitative analysis of data was made using frequency and percentage. The result indicated that students of the three Ethiopian universities have very limited awareness of both cognitive and metacognitive reading strategies. This problem emanates from students’ limited exposure and poor habit of reading in English, their lack of motivation for reading texts in English and their teachers’ instructional problems of teaching reading and reading strategies. The recommendations are that students should maximize their exposure of reading texts in English and comprehensively invest their time and efforts to improve their reading habit. The English teachers should teach students the overall conceptualizations of reading and its strategies when they teach reading. The teachers should also provide students with technical and professional support and motivation to make them be cognizant of reading.

The study aims to identify the English reading texts barriers faced by students of guidance and counselling department at PGRI University of Banyuwangi and to know the category level of self-directed learning method used by students of guidance and counselling department. Language barriers include barriers in understanding vocabulary, grammar, semantics, complexity of the reading text material, and decoding or word recognition. Meanwhile, psychological barriers involve issues such as lack of focus, forgetfulness, low self-confidence, shyness, and lack of motivation. These barriers are typically categorized into language and psychological barriers. These barriers hinder students’ ability to comprehend English texts effectively. To overcome these difficulties, many students adopt a self-directed learning (SDL) method, which enables them to take initiative in managing their learning process, including identifying personal learning goals, utilizing various resources, and evaluating their own progress. The research design was descriptive qualitative. The instrument used for data collection consist of 40 questions. The researcher found that there are 2 barriers in reading English text, namely language barriers and psychological barriers. In terms of language barriers, the researcher found that students have more barriers in understanding English grammar. Meanwhile, in psychological barrier, students have higher psychological barriers in felt shyness when reading English texts in front of others. In addition, in self-directed learning method students have more used medium level self-directed learning method.

The objective of this study is to analyze the lexical density of the texts of English for Islamic Studies of IAIN Raden Intan Lampung. The writer conducted this study to find out the lexical density of the texts included in the textbook that is commonly used as an instructional material for the students of non-English Education Study Program in their English Subject. The type of the study used in this case is descriptive qualitative research. This study is done by analyzing fourteen (14) texts presented in the textbook by determining the content words and grammatical words and then calculating the amount of the content words divided to the total words of each text. Based on the analysis, it was found that seven texts contained in the textbook of English for Islamic studies are in the low lexical density category, six texts are in the normal category, and one text is in the high lexical density categories.

The Effect of Contextual Inferencing Strategies on EFL Learners⿿ Attitudes towards Reading

In compiling a summative test paper of college English, it is often necessary to prepare text materials of appropriate Reading Ease (RE). So far, most compilers have based their identification of the text RE upon estimates, resulting in an arbitrary level of text RE and hence compromising the authority of the test. With a pre-built Microsoft Access database of vocabulary as the criterion and taking advantage of the programming interface of Microsoft Word and the OLE technology and data access objects(DAO) of Visual Basic 6.0, a computer program system has been successfully written to automatically label the words in an English text in accordance with their bands designated by the College English Teaching Syllabus. A band-based statistical analysis of the words in the text is provided as well. The system paves the way for a future automatic identification of text material RE for college English tests.

Reading is an essential skill in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) because it plays a significant role in developing students’ academic abilities and knowledge. One of the rapid reading techniques introduced at the Madrasah Aliyah level is skimming, which is used to obtain the general idea and main points of a text without reading it in detail. However, based on preliminary observations at MA Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, many students still experience difficulties in applying skimming techniques effectively. Therefore, this study aims to analyze students’ difficulties in reading English texts using skimming techniques and to identify the factors causing these difficulties. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The participants were 15 tenth-grade students of MA Muhammadiyah Bengkulu selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that students faced several difficulties in applying skimming techniques, such as identifying the main idea, understanding vocabulary, locating word references, making inferences, and finding detailed information in the text. The main factors contributing to these difficulties were limited vocabulary mastery, students’ lack of understanding of skimming strategies, and insufficient practice in reading English texts. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that students’ skimming ability still needs improvement through more structured reading instruction, appropriate strategy application, and continuous practice in order to help students comprehend English texts more effectively and efficiently.

For visually disabled people, navigating the streets is a challenging activity. It’s almost always difficult for them to comprehend basic street signboards or the surrounding environment. The proposed model suggests a system that can help visually impaired people understand better their surroundings. This research proposes a novel implementation of smart spectacles based on Image Captioning and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to ease the navigation process. The system consists of a camera that is embedded in spectacles, an Image Captioning module, an OCR module, and Text-To-Speech (TTS) module. The Image Captioning module aids in the detection of notice or signboards in the immediate vicinity, while the OCR module aids in the reading of the text on the notice boards. Text-To- Speech is used primarily to translate this data into a format that is open to the visually impaired, such as voice notifications. The proposed research makes navigating on the street less challenging for visually impaired people. It also helps them to comprehend the signboards and to make optimum use of the available facilities. The presented model can successfully generate captions based on the surroundings and can read the text whenever required. The model can read texts in English, Hindi, and Marathi, making it adaptable to the needs of the vernacular population.

The problems students of English have in processing when reading texts is quite unknown. One can argue that processin aspects are difficult to measure as it is difficult to find a good instrument to analyse what is happening in the mind of the reader. In this paper, I want to show that the analysis of summaries made by the students after reading a text is a good instrument to measure the type of problems they have reading. My study shows that it is grammatical and textual, rather than lexical problems, that create understanding problems, together with too much rellance on top-down processes. If that is the case in further research, we might argue that the students need more instruction on grammar and textual cohesion in relation to reading comprehension before they can rely too much on top-down processes. Otherwise, this type of processing could be misleading.

In learning English, students are directed to have skills in reading English texts because students can understand the information through reading. This study investigates the students’ perception of the factors causing the students to have difficulties in reading English texts and the strategies the students use to overcome the difficulties in reading English texts. This research belongs to descriptive qualitative research, and the research data sources are interviews and questionnaires. The data were taken from the student in 8th grade of SMP Negeri 1 Bungku. There were 15 students answered the questionnaire, but only 13 joined the interview. The data were analyzed by reducing data, displaying data, and drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that the students' perception of the students’ difficulties in reading English text includes the lack of motivation from the teacher to improve the students’ reading skills and the lack of the students' vocabulary and pronunciation. Moreover, the strategies the students used to overcome their difficulties were taking notes of some important points in the text and the newly acquired vocabulary, translating them using google translate, and practicing them with friends.

This paper provides a critical study focusing on the challenges faced while translating prepositions between English and Arabic languages, with special reference to a short story titled ‘Cat in the Rain’ by Ernest Hemingway. Prepositions are functional words which are used to link nouns, pronouns or phrases to other words in the sentence. The selection of prepositions is highly language specific and thus poses a great challenge to the linguists, translators and researchers. The aim of the study is to identify the various challenges faced while translating prepositions in the given short story and to provide solutions for the identified challenges. (Šeškauskienė and Juknevičienė2020)(Dawoud and Al2021)(Alhammad, 2023)(Aajami, 2022)(Christou et al.2021)(Knop, 2020)(Almuhaysh2022)(Bryant2022)(Boieblan2023)(Chiknaverova) The first problematic preposition ‘for’ was found to be used in three different senses in the Arabic translation. However, the Arabic preposition ‘ل’ is able to bear the same sense as that of the English preposition ‘for’. It was concluded that there is no need for a grammatical shift, but adjustment equivalents are recommended. The second problematic preposition ‘of’ was found used in two different senses. The Arabic equivalent ‘من’ bears the same sense. Hence no need of grammatical shift, selection equivalents are recommended. The third problematic preposition ‘in’ was found to be used in three different senses in the Arabic translation. However, the Arabic preposition ‘في’ is able to bear the same sense as that of the English preposition ‘in’. It was concluded that there is no need for a grammatical shift, but adjustment equivalents are recommended (Alzghoul, 2018).

Latest trends in the teaching of english as a foreign language in Peru—The recurrence of 19th century methods due to economic restraints

The aim of this research study is to determine the students’ reading comprehension through the Active Reading strategy in English text. The fact showed that students have low skill of reading comprehension based on the mean score 65 while the Minimum Criterion Succes was 75. This gap become a reason that formulate the problems as, How the students’ reading comprehension improvement by using Active Reading strategy?. This research conducted under quantitative research method of Class Action research (CAR) design with the number of students are 32 from tenth grade of SMA Negeri 7 Padangsidimpuan. The written test are used to collect the data and analyzed based on statistical formula. The research finding showed that in pre test the students’ reading comprehension mean score was 44.3 then after applied Active Reading strategy the mean score in post-test cycle 1 was 71 and in post-test cycle 2 was 82.9. The students’ improvement from pre-test to post-test cycle 2 was 86.8%. It means that there was a significant improvement of students’ reading comprehension by using Active Reading strategy in reading English text. This finding was recommended to be applied in teaching and learning process of reading toward English text.

Abstract. This research aims to develop supplementary reading materials for 10th-grade high school students in Jayapura, Papua. It is designed to help students understand English texts while introducing international, national (Indonesian), and local (Papuan) cultures. The study uses the research and development (R&D) model with the ADDIE approach. The needs analysis involved 220 students, followed by small group trials with 22 students and field trials with 65 students. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The results show that the developed materials meet students' needs, which were identified through a needs analysis focusing on students' reading difficulties, interests, and cultural exposure. The materials address these needs by incorporating culturally relevant content and interactive exercises. Additionally, they help improve students' reading comprehension through various strategies, such as text-based questions, vocabulary-building exercises, and pronunciation practice. The materials feature texts of 300–400 words, 30–40 new vocabulary words, vocabulary lists, and engaging images. Topics include historical sites, traditional foods, art, and customs. The implementation phase received positive feedback from students, teachers, and subject matter experts with an overall rating of 3.25 and 4.00, which is "very good." This research emphasizes the need to include intercultural values in English reading materials. Future material development should consider including localized and worldwide cultural values to improve students' involvement and understanding in reading English text. The resources are thus suitable as supplemental reading materials for enhancing English literacy and intercultural understanding.Keywords: intercultural values, material development, reading skills, research and development, senior high school

English reading skill is a fundamental skill that is crucial in education, particularly in today's globalized world. However, many Vocational High School (SMK) students still face challenges in comprehending English texts, stemming from limited vocabulary, limited reading strategies, and a lack of contextual learning. This community service activity was conducted at SMK Swasta Islam (SMKSI) Darul Istiqomah Jember to provide students with basic English reading skill training. The training focused on mastering reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, determining topics, identifying main and supporting ideas, and answering questions using WH-Questions. The implementation method included initial observation, material preparation, interactive lectures, practice exercises, and evaluation. The results showed that the training successfully improved students' ability to comprehend English texts more effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, it increased students' motivation and confidence in reading English texts, and provided an initial understanding of functional texts relevant to the world of work. This activity is expected to be a real contribution in improving the quality of vocational high school students' English literacy and supporting their readiness to face the demands of the global workforce.