An investigation into the reading strategies of ESP students in the College of Medical Sciences at Umm al-Qura University

Abstract EN

This study is an investigation into the reading strategies used by a group of medical sciences students enrolled in an intensive ESP program.

It is launched with the objective of identifying the reading strategies commonly used by these students.

The study also aims to point out which strategies that the students need to develop in order to pursue their academic studies successfully and to get the maximum out of the text they read.

The sample is composed of 24 students from the college of medical sciences at Umm AL Qura University .Results obtained through a questionnaire and think – aloud protocol reveal that the subjects use an astonishingly limited number of reading strategies.

Out of 20 strategies claimed to be used by the subjects in response to the questionnaire, only eight reading strategies have been actualized during the thinkaloud protocol.

It is also found that some of the strategies claimed to be or actually used by the subjects are really poor strategies and are not likely to yield proper comprehension.

.The study ends up giving some suggestions which involve training the students to use more effective strategies to help them accomplish their reading tasks successfully.

Further research into the area is also recommended.