exploring the effect of intensive authentic reading material on saudi efl students’ english proficiency : pre-test, post-test approach
This quantitative study has adopted an exploratory approach, aims to investigate the effectiveness use of authentic reading materials on Saudi adult EFL students, the variable of the study is reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, also, the study attempt to collect the students’ point of views of authentic materials. The participants of the study are 4 EFL adult learners, beginner level (A1) CEFR, studying at Saudi English Language Institute. To collect data, the research has used two instruments; first, a pre and post -test one group method. The tests were conducted to measure students’ performance in both tests by comparing their scores. The second was an online survey questionnaire that was sent at the end to elicit students’ perspectives. After the analysis of the quantitative data by using the software program of SPSS, the study shows that Authentic reading material has a significant change on students’ reading comprehension from pre-test to post-test showed the major difference in the mean (7.0) and (11.75) before and after the implementation of AM program. Similarly, with the vocabulary the meaning was (2.50) and (4.25). Also, it was revealed that a large majority of the students preferred the use of authentic reading materials. They found that AM have facilitate their learning process by enabling them to understand English text better than before and enhance their use of new vocabulary. Nevertheless, students liked using AM reading classes, which probably relate to their positive experience towards the AM program and students’ feelings of enjoyment during the program. (Published abstract)