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READING INTEREST AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH READING PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN MALAYSIA
Corresponding Author(s) : Mohd Nazri Latiff Azmi
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 7 No. 6 (2019): November
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This study aims to specifically examine reading interest among English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and determine its relationship with their performance in ESL classrooms.
Methodology: This study is based on cross-sectional survey design, comprising a randomly selected sample of 351 ESL learners from the state of Terengganu. The questionnaire was used as a data-gathering instrument, consisting of pre-test and post-test items using Know Want Learn (KWL) reading method.
Main Findings: The findings revealed that most of the ESL learners read English materials for academic purposes rather than news and entertainment. Also, there is a significant relationship between ESL learners’ reading interests and their performance in ESL classrooms.
Applications: This study consists of empirical evidence regarding students’ reading interests and their correlation with their performance in the ESL classroom. This could help ESL teachers to rectify the students’ problems in reading English materials.
Novelty/Originality: This study provides valuable information on the importance of reading interests in determining students’ performance, particularly in ESL classrooms.
Keywords
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- AbdRasid, N. (2004). LaporanKajianPenilaian: Program NadiIlmuAmalanMembaca (NILAM) 2004. Education Technology Unit, Minister of Education, Malaysia.
- Abu Bakar, B (2007). Principles of Data Analysis in Education. Kuala Lumpur: Utusan Publication.
- Al Murshidi, G. (2014). UAE University Male Students' Interests Impact on Reading and Writing Performance and Improvement. English Language Teaching, 7(9), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v7n9p57 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v7n9p57
- Al-Nafisah, K. (2011). Saudi EFL students’ reading interests. Journal of King Saud University-Languages and Translation, 23(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksult.2009.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksult.2009.07.001
- Azmi, M. N. L. (2010). English language Reading Culture among Primary School Students in Terengganu. (Ph.D dissertation). International Islamic University, Malaysia.
- Bujang, M. A., Sa’at, N., & Bakar, T. M. I. T. A. (2017). Determination of minimum sample size requirement for multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance based on experimental and non-experimental studies. Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, 14(3).
- Clark, C. & Foster, A. (2005). Children’s and young people’s reading habits and preferences: The who, what, why, where and when.
- Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education. 6th ed. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053
- Creswell, J.W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qalitative Research (3rded). Nebrasasa: Pearson.
- Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (4thEdition). Nebrasasa: Pearson.
- Ecalle, J., Magnan, A., & Gibert, F. (2006). Class size effects on literacy skills and literacy interest in first grade: A large-scale investigation. Journal of school psychology, 44(3), 191-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2006.03.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2006.03.002
- Fox, E., Dinsmore, D. L., & Alexander, P. A. (2010). Reading competence, interest, and reading goals in three gifted young adolescent readers. High Ability Studies, 21(2), 165-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/1 3598139.2010.525340 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2010.525340
- Fox, E., & Alexander, P. A. (2004). Reading, interest, and the model of domain learning: A developmental model of interest, knowledge, and strategy use in text comprehension. In meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
- Gengatharan, D. (2004). A Study of Factors Affecting the Reading Habits and Reading Interests in English of Year Five Pupils of Selected Schools in Penang. Masters of Education, University Malaya.
- Goodman, Kenneth (1988). The Reading Process. In P.L. Carrell, J. Devine, and D.E. Eskey, (Eds.) Interactive Approaches to Second School Language Reading. Cambridge University Press, pp. 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524513.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524513.005
- Gough, P.B. (1972). One second of reading. In J.F. Kavanagh and I.G. Mattingly (Eds.). Language by Ear and Eye: The Relationships between Speech and Reading. Cambridge: Cambridge Int: MIT Press.
- Gravetter, F.J., & Wallnau, L.B. (2000). Statistic for the Behavioral Sciences (5thed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
- Guthrie, J. T., Hoa, L. W., Wigfield, A., Tonks, S. M., & Perencevich, K. C. (2005). From spark to fire: Can situational reading interest lead to longâ€term reading motivation?. Literacy Research and Instruction, 45(2), 91-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070609558444 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070609558444
- Haggard, M. R. (1986). The vocabulary self-collection strategy: Using student interest and world knowledge to enhance vocabulary growth. Journal of Reading, 29(7), 634-642.
- Hamiruddin, A. H. (2002). A Survey on Students’ Perception on Leisure Reading in English Among Form One Students in SekolahMenengahKebangsaan Salle, Klang (Degree thesis). UniversitiTeknologi Mara, Malaysia.
- Hidi, S. (2001). Interest, reading, and learning: Theoretical and practical considerations. Educational psychology review, 13(3), 191-209. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016667621114 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016667621114
- Hoon, K. C. & Fah, L. Y. (2009). Introduction to Statistical Analysis in Social Science Research, Series 1. Selangor. Venton Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd.
- Kikas, E., Silinskas, G., &Soodla, P. (2015). The effects of children’s reading skills and interest on teacher perceptions of children’s skills and individualized support. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 39(5), 402-412. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025415573641 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025415573641
- Konting, M. M. (2000). Principles of Teacher Education. Kuala Lumpur: DBP.
- Krejcie, R.V and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining Sampel Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3):607-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
- Long, A. (1984). A Survey on the Reading Habits and Interests of Malaysian People. Kuala Lumpur: DBP.
- McBurnie, G., & Ziguras, C. (2001). The regulation of transnational higher education in Southeast Asia: Case studies of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia. Higher Education, 42(1), 85-105. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017572119543 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017572119543
- McMillan, J. H & Schumacher, S. (2006). Research in education. Boston: Pearson Education.
- Metsäpelto, R. L., Silinskas, G., Kiuru, N., Poikkeus, A. M., Pakarinen, E., Vasalampi, K., ... & Nurmi, J. E. (2017). Externalizing behavior problems and interest in reading as predictors of later reading skills and educational aspirations. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 49, 324-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. cedpsych.2017.03.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2017.03.009
- Muhamad, S. N. (2007). A Study of reading habits and interests among Secondary School Students in SMK Kuala Telemong, Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu (Master’s thesis). UniversitiTeknologi Mara, Malaysia.
- Neuman, W.L. (2000). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Needham Height, MA: Allyn& Bacon
- Noraien, M. (2008). Collaborative learning via email discussion: Pedagogical implications. The International Journal of Social Sciences 3 (7): 203-215. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v03i07/52660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v03i07/52660
- Noraini, I. (2010). Penyelidikan Pendidikan. Kuala Lumpur: McGraw Hill.
- Norazit, L & Fatimah, H. (1992). Barriers to reading: An investigation of why the reading habit has not caught on among Malaysian school children. Paper presented at the International Conference, ‘Literature in Asian Societies’. 3-5 July 1992. Kuala Lumpur: Lanuage Centre, Universiti Malaya.
- Oakhill, J. V., & Petrides, A. (2007). Sex differences in the effects of interest on boys' and girls' reading comprehension. British Journal of Psychology, 98(2), 223-235. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712606X117649 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1348/000712606X117649
- Pallant, J. (2001). SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows (Version 10). USA: Open University Press.
- Pandian, A. (1997). Reading in Malaysia.Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi.
- Park, H. M. (2008). Univariate Analysis and Normality Test Using SAS, Stata, and SPSS. Retrieved from: http://www.indiana.edu/~statmath/stat/all/normality/normality.pdf.
- Renninger, K. A., & Hidi, S. (2002). Student interest and achievement: Developmental issues raised by a case study. In A. Wigfield & J. S. Eccles (Eds.), Development of achievement motivation (pp. 173- 195). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012750053-9/50009-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012750053-9/50009-7
- Stoodt, B. D. ,Amspaugh, L. B. & Hunt, J. (1996). Children’s literature: Discovery for a lifetime. Scottsdale: Gorsuch Scarisbrick Publishers.
- Unsworth, N., & McMillan, B. D. (2013). Mind wandering and reading comprehension: Examining the roles of working memory capacity, interest, motivation, and topic experience. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 39(3), 832. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029669 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029669
- Whitten, C., Labby, S., & Sullivan, S. L. (2016). The impact of pleasure reading on academic success. The Journal of Multidisciplinary Graduate Research, 2(4), 48-64.
- Yusri, M. I. (2012). Model Kepemimpinan Pengajaran Pengeta, Efikasidan Kompetensi Pengajaaran. (Ph.D dissertation), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia.
- Yusri, M. I.. (2010). Bimbingan Cepat Analisis data Penyelidikan: Untukpendidikan & SainsSosial. Kuantan: Bandar ilmu.
References
AbdRasid, N. (2004). LaporanKajianPenilaian: Program NadiIlmuAmalanMembaca (NILAM) 2004. Education Technology Unit, Minister of Education, Malaysia.
Abu Bakar, B (2007). Principles of Data Analysis in Education. Kuala Lumpur: Utusan Publication.
Al Murshidi, G. (2014). UAE University Male Students' Interests Impact on Reading and Writing Performance and Improvement. English Language Teaching, 7(9), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v7n9p57 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v7n9p57
Al-Nafisah, K. (2011). Saudi EFL students’ reading interests. Journal of King Saud University-Languages and Translation, 23(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksult.2009.07.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksult.2009.07.001
Azmi, M. N. L. (2010). English language Reading Culture among Primary School Students in Terengganu. (Ph.D dissertation). International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Bujang, M. A., Sa’at, N., & Bakar, T. M. I. T. A. (2017). Determination of minimum sample size requirement for multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance based on experimental and non-experimental studies. Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, 14(3).
Clark, C. & Foster, A. (2005). Children’s and young people’s reading habits and preferences: The who, what, why, where and when.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education. 6th ed. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203029053
Creswell, J.W. (2008). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qalitative Research (3rded). Nebrasasa: Pearson.
Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (4thEdition). Nebrasasa: Pearson.
Ecalle, J., Magnan, A., & Gibert, F. (2006). Class size effects on literacy skills and literacy interest in first grade: A large-scale investigation. Journal of school psychology, 44(3), 191-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2006.03.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2006.03.002
Fox, E., Dinsmore, D. L., & Alexander, P. A. (2010). Reading competence, interest, and reading goals in three gifted young adolescent readers. High Ability Studies, 21(2), 165-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/1 3598139.2010.525340 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2010.525340
Fox, E., & Alexander, P. A. (2004). Reading, interest, and the model of domain learning: A developmental model of interest, knowledge, and strategy use in text comprehension. In meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Gengatharan, D. (2004). A Study of Factors Affecting the Reading Habits and Reading Interests in English of Year Five Pupils of Selected Schools in Penang. Masters of Education, University Malaya.
Goodman, Kenneth (1988). The Reading Process. In P.L. Carrell, J. Devine, and D.E. Eskey, (Eds.) Interactive Approaches to Second School Language Reading. Cambridge University Press, pp. 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524513.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524513.005
Gough, P.B. (1972). One second of reading. In J.F. Kavanagh and I.G. Mattingly (Eds.). Language by Ear and Eye: The Relationships between Speech and Reading. Cambridge: Cambridge Int: MIT Press.
Gravetter, F.J., & Wallnau, L.B. (2000). Statistic for the Behavioral Sciences (5thed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Guthrie, J. T., Hoa, L. W., Wigfield, A., Tonks, S. M., & Perencevich, K. C. (2005). From spark to fire: Can situational reading interest lead to longâ€term reading motivation?. Literacy Research and Instruction, 45(2), 91-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070609558444 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19388070609558444
Haggard, M. R. (1986). The vocabulary self-collection strategy: Using student interest and world knowledge to enhance vocabulary growth. Journal of Reading, 29(7), 634-642.
Hamiruddin, A. H. (2002). A Survey on Students’ Perception on Leisure Reading in English Among Form One Students in SekolahMenengahKebangsaan Salle, Klang (Degree thesis). UniversitiTeknologi Mara, Malaysia.
Hidi, S. (2001). Interest, reading, and learning: Theoretical and practical considerations. Educational psychology review, 13(3), 191-209. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016667621114 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016667621114
Hoon, K. C. & Fah, L. Y. (2009). Introduction to Statistical Analysis in Social Science Research, Series 1. Selangor. Venton Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Kikas, E., Silinskas, G., &Soodla, P. (2015). The effects of children’s reading skills and interest on teacher perceptions of children’s skills and individualized support. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 39(5), 402-412. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025415573641 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025415573641
Konting, M. M. (2000). Principles of Teacher Education. Kuala Lumpur: DBP.
Krejcie, R.V and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining Sampel Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3):607-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Long, A. (1984). A Survey on the Reading Habits and Interests of Malaysian People. Kuala Lumpur: DBP.
McBurnie, G., & Ziguras, C. (2001). The regulation of transnational higher education in Southeast Asia: Case studies of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia. Higher Education, 42(1), 85-105. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017572119543 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017572119543
McMillan, J. H & Schumacher, S. (2006). Research in education. Boston: Pearson Education.
Metsäpelto, R. L., Silinskas, G., Kiuru, N., Poikkeus, A. M., Pakarinen, E., Vasalampi, K., ... & Nurmi, J. E. (2017). Externalizing behavior problems and interest in reading as predictors of later reading skills and educational aspirations. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 49, 324-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. cedpsych.2017.03.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2017.03.009
Muhamad, S. N. (2007). A Study of reading habits and interests among Secondary School Students in SMK Kuala Telemong, Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu (Master’s thesis). UniversitiTeknologi Mara, Malaysia.
Neuman, W.L. (2000). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Needham Height, MA: Allyn& Bacon
Noraien, M. (2008). Collaborative learning via email discussion: Pedagogical implications. The International Journal of Social Sciences 3 (7): 203-215. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v03i07/52660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v03i07/52660
Noraini, I. (2010). Penyelidikan Pendidikan. Kuala Lumpur: McGraw Hill.
Norazit, L & Fatimah, H. (1992). Barriers to reading: An investigation of why the reading habit has not caught on among Malaysian school children. Paper presented at the International Conference, ‘Literature in Asian Societies’. 3-5 July 1992. Kuala Lumpur: Lanuage Centre, Universiti Malaya.
Oakhill, J. V., & Petrides, A. (2007). Sex differences in the effects of interest on boys' and girls' reading comprehension. British Journal of Psychology, 98(2), 223-235. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712606X117649 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1348/000712606X117649
Pallant, J. (2001). SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows (Version 10). USA: Open University Press.
Pandian, A. (1997). Reading in Malaysia.Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi.
Park, H. M. (2008). Univariate Analysis and Normality Test Using SAS, Stata, and SPSS. Retrieved from: http://www.indiana.edu/~statmath/stat/all/normality/normality.pdf.
Renninger, K. A., & Hidi, S. (2002). Student interest and achievement: Developmental issues raised by a case study. In A. Wigfield & J. S. Eccles (Eds.), Development of achievement motivation (pp. 173- 195). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012750053-9/50009-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012750053-9/50009-7
Stoodt, B. D. ,Amspaugh, L. B. & Hunt, J. (1996). Children’s literature: Discovery for a lifetime. Scottsdale: Gorsuch Scarisbrick Publishers.
Unsworth, N., & McMillan, B. D. (2013). Mind wandering and reading comprehension: Examining the roles of working memory capacity, interest, motivation, and topic experience. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 39(3), 832. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029669 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029669
Whitten, C., Labby, S., & Sullivan, S. L. (2016). The impact of pleasure reading on academic success. The Journal of Multidisciplinary Graduate Research, 2(4), 48-64.
Yusri, M. I. (2012). Model Kepemimpinan Pengajaran Pengeta, Efikasidan Kompetensi Pengajaaran. (Ph.D dissertation), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia.
Yusri, M. I.. (2010). Bimbingan Cepat Analisis data Penyelidikan: Untukpendidikan & SainsSosial. Kuantan: Bandar ilmu.