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Preparing Students for
Reading Comprehension Tests
An Action Research Project Proposal
Dr. Nellie Deutsch
University of Phoenix
2005
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Action Research Project Proposal
The Problem Statement
Grade nine EFL students lack the skills to cope with
reading comprehension tests.
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Action Research Project Proposal
Purpose
• Determine the causes• Build a workable curriculum program• Provide students with test taking techniques• Improve student scores
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Action Research Project Proposal
Background Description
• Population
• Work Setting
• Writer’s Role
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Action Research Project Proposal
Problem DocumentationTwo Surveys
• Online QuestionnairesStudentsParentsTeachers
• Offline QuestionnairesStudents
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Action Research Project Proposal
Survey Results (Before Intervention)
QuestionPro Online Survey Program
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/ShowResults?id=161974
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Action Research Project Proposal
Students: What thoughts do you have during the test?
I wish I had prepared myself better . 25.71%
I won't have enough time. 39.05%
I am doing great. 20.95%
I wish I could be somewhere else 14.29%
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Action Research Project Proposal
Teachers: ESL/EFL students are anxious during
reading comprehension tests in English.
Strongly Agree 34.15%
Agree 45.85%
Undecided 8.29%
Disagree 8.78%
Strongly Disagree2.93%
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Teachers: ____ of my ESL/EFL students are/were anxious during reading comprehension tests.
Most 31.03%
Some 36.55%
Many 25.52%
None 2.07%
A few 4.83%
Action Research Project Proposal
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Action Research Project Proposal
Parents: My daughter/son gets anxious when there is reading comprehension test in school.
Strongly Agree 41.03%
Agree 17.95%
Neutral 23.08%
Disagree 18.38%
Strongly Disagree 2.56%
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Action Research Project Proposal
Parents: Reading strategies would improve reading
comprehension in English.
Strongly Agree 70.27%
Agree 21.62%
Neutral 8.11%
Disagree 0.00%
Strongly Disagree 0.00%
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Teachers: ESL/EFL students would benefit from relaxation exercises before reading comprehension tests.
Strongly Agree 28.29%
Agree 37.07%
Undecided 27.80%
Disagree 3.90%
Strongly Disagree 2.93%
Action Research Project Proposal
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Action Research Project Proposal
Solution Strategy
Reading Comprehension Test Taking Skills
12 Week Curriculum Program:
• Reading Strategies• Test Taking and Relaxation Techniques
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Action Research Project Proposal
Reading Strategies
• General Layout
Paragraph: Introduction, body and conclusionType of writing: letter, report, description, persuasion…Skimming and scanning: Numbers, capital letters
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Action Research Project Proposal
Test Taking Techniques
• Relaxation Exercises
Mindfulness: PresentBreathing: Counting to 10Color Visualization and ChakrasSelf-talk: Positive affirmations
• Time• Organization
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Action Research Project Proposal
Results Student scores before and after the 12-week implementation
57.3
80.15
Students
Sco
res
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Action Research Project Proposal
Recommendations
• Needs Assessment SurveyQuestionnaire on test taking anxietyQuestionnaire on reading strategies
• Action research project
• Comparison of grades before and after test taking and reading strategies curriculum program
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