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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

Literature Review

Brief summary

• Problem • Solution

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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

Audience Feedback

• Questions • Comments

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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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Action Research Project Proposal