Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 11. Number3  September 2020                                     Pp.  294 -304

Investigating EFL Learners’ Awareness of Cognitive and Metacognitive Reading Strategies of Students in Different Disciplines

English Language Centre, Higher College of Technology,
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract:

This research explores the awareness and use of cognitive and metacognitive reading strategies of Omani EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students studying different disciplines. The participants were three hundred and seventy-five Omani EFL first year diploma students studying biology, business, information technology, engineering, and English in a higher education institution in Oman. The study compared and contrasted strategy use across disciplines and examined the relationships among strategy preferences and discipline. Survey of Reading Strategies (SORS), a self-report questionnaire by Mokhtari and Sheorey (2002) was used to collect data. Statistical and descriptive analysis indicates that Omani EFL learner’s most preferred category of reading strategies was cognitive strategies, followed by support strategies and metacognitive strategies. One-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) revealed no significant differences between students of the disciplines mentioned above in terms of strategy preferences for metacognitive, cognitive, and support strategies. The findings provide insight for curriculum developers and teachers towards the strategy preferences of Omani EFL students.

Cite as:

Ahmed, R. M. (2020). Investigating EFL Learners’ Awareness of Cognitive and Metacognitive Reading Strategies of Students in Different Disciplines. Arab World English Journal, 11 (3) 294 -304 .

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Dr Ruhina Mustajab Ahmed has an EdD in Education from University of Exeter. She is a
lecturer at the Higher College of Technology in Muscat, Oman. Her area of interest is second
language acquisition. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2783-7615