Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume.8 Number3 September 2017 Pp. 421-431
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol8no3.27
Reading Comprehension Difficulties among EFL Learners: The Case of First and Second -Year Students at Yarmouk University in Jordan
Mohammed Qrqez
Department of English Language Preparatory Year Program
Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia
Radzuwan Ab Rashid
Faculty of Languages and Communication
University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia.
Abstract:
This paper discusses EFL reading comprehension difficulties faced by students at a university in Jordan. Data were collected using questionnaires which were distributed to 200 students at Yarmouk University. The questionnaire consists of two parts: the first part contains demographic information about the participants and the second part includes two sections: the students’ preferences and the students’ reading difficulties. The findings reveal that the respondents are motivated to learn as they are in dire need for acquiring English. However, they face several problems in the reading process, such as ambiguous words, unfamiliar vocabulary, and limited available time to cognitively process the text. The findings of this study may be useful to policy makers in Jordan to improve the leaners’ reading experience.
Keywords: EFL reading, Jordanian students, reading difficulties, reading comprehension, higher education institution.
Cite as: Qrqez, M., & Ab Rashid. R. (2017). Reading Comprehension Difficulties among EFL Learners: The Case of First and Second -Year Students at Yarmouk University in Jordan. Arab World English Journal, 8 (3).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol8no3.27