Helping learners develop effective reading strategies in reading short stories

Abstract EN

This study is an initiative try to identify the challenges and difficulties that hinder first year students from enjoying reading short stories.

Among the possible reasons behind this problem are the students' linguistic deficiencies, text selection, the teaching strategies and the lack of the motivation for students.

According to the results of the study in general, it seems that there is an interrelated and an interconnected relationship between the previous reasons with a relative interest for first year students in reading short stories.

Thus, it is suggested to pre requisitely reconsider the syllabus, the teaching methods and objectives, text selection to deal with students' weaknesses in reading short stories.

Moreover, some major recommendations based on the teaching instructions for a strategic style (literature circles) and interaction instructions (the questioning technique) as a try to encourage teacher for an innovative teaching strategies to increase motivation and appreciation in reading short stories.

More importantly, this study stresses also some effective strategies to create connection, reinforce motivation, activate empathy and strengthen the sense of appreciation with literary texts.

It is also suggested the important role of teaching the reading strategies with regard to the socio-affective strategies in learning literature.