Research Proposal

ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION OF KOLEJ POLY-TECH MARA BANGI’ STUDENTS TOWARDS READING COMPREHENSION OF LEARNING ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE.

1.0 Introduction

Reading is one of the components in language learning and it has been said that reading skills is the most crucial when it comes to academic language skills. Reading is not just about gaining knowledge and information, but also sharing ideas. Thus, reading is a mean of communication as well as language acquisition.

A good way to understand reading is to consider what is required for fluent reading (Grabe, 2001).  Because reading sometimes can be tricky due to involvement of making choices hence learner’s motivation is important in order for the learners to have an interest towards reading. 

1.1 Background of the study

This paper will focuses on the attitude and motivation of KPTM MARA Bangi’s diploma students in reading comprehension. This study will further look upon what influences the students and the challenges faced by them in order to achieve what is required for fluent reading.

Fluent reading is what most good reader does most of the time when they read almost anything, especially in their first language (Grabe, 2010). The characteristics of a fluent reader suggested that one need multiple skills and strategies not just to be a fluent reader, but to be able to create their own level of definition and understanding.

The characteristics of a fluent reader suggested by Grabe are as follow:

i.            Read rapidly for comprehension

 ii.            Recognize words rapidly and automatically

 iii.            Draw on a very large vocabulary store

iv.            Integrate text information with prior knowledge

v.            Recognize purpose for reading

vi.            Comprehend the text

vii.            Read strategically

viii.            Use strategies to monitor comprehension

ix.            Recognize miscomprehension

x.            Read critically and evaluate information

1.2 Statement of the Problems

This study is important to the educators in KPTM Bangi for them to be aware and concern of the students concerns and attitudes when it comes to reading in English. It is also as a platform for the educators to start paying attention to students learning style and be considerate when it comes to material/text selecting.

This study will see how students reading patterns affected the reading success. Also to what extend students attitudes and motivations affected their reading behaviour.

1.3 Research Objectives

The research objectives of this study are as follow:

        i.            To investigate students attitude towards reading

To measure that significant differences in attitudes when students engage with different reading material

    iii.            To identify students challenges in reading

1.4 Research Questions

The research questions for this study are as follows:

        i.            What are the attitudes of KPTM Bangi’s students towards reading?

      ii.            How different reading materials/texts affected students attitudes and motivations?

    iii.            What are the biggest challenges faced by the students?

1.5 Operational Definition

1. Language Acquisition – A process of learning a language in which attaining to a specific variant of human language.
2. Attitude – Learners set of beliefs that can influence their language learning in numbers of ways.
3. Motivation- Learner’s goal or orientation which occurs when the learners wishes to identify with the culture of the L2 group.
4.  L1 – A person’s native speakers
5. L2- A non native language used by a person for public cooperation.
6. Learning Style – Individual habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in learning styles

1.6 Limitations

The first limitation will be the respondents of this study, which restricted and limited to only diploma students of KPTM Bangi.

The second limitation will be the literature review due to the fact that there has not been a study conducted yet on this topic.

The third limitation is there is no prior study on such topic focusing on KPTM Bangi alone where the findings may not be applicable to other higher education institution.

1.7 Significance of the study

The finding of this study might bring some changes towards educator decisions making in material/text selecting which in hope will be much more accepted and suitable to the students.

Motivation