INTRODUCTION
Rationale
English is a vital subject for high school students, serving as a key component in entrance exams and the National High School Graduation Examination The inclusion of reading passages in these assessments highlights the importance of reading skills Moreover, cultural topics, featured prominently in new English textbooks, captivate students' interest and engagement By integrating cultural knowledge into reading instruction, teachers can enhance their teaching effectiveness and foster greater student attention and concern for lesson content This approach not only makes learning more relatable but also enriches students' understanding of diverse cultures.
The reading section constitutes 40% of the National High School Graduation Examination, yet many students struggle to achieve high marks in English due to anxiety over lengthy passages and a lack of cultural knowledge To address these challenges, I am focusing on enhancing teaching skills, with cultural knowledge emerging as a key solution The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages emphasizes the importance of cultural content, highlighting the intriguing link between cultural understanding and reading comprehension I aim for my research to not only help students improve their knowledge but also to inspire innovative teaching methods among English educators and support future educational objectives in English language learning.
Research aims and objectives
This research aims to explore the significant impact of cultural knowledge on the reading fluency of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, highlighting the correlation between these two essential factors.
Students often feel excited when engaging with new English books, particularly in the sections focused on Culture and Communication Their curiosity drives them to thoroughly read the passages, allowing them to gain valuable insights into the life and customs of different countries Understanding a text is an interactive process that relies heavily on the reader's background knowledge, as cultural context is essential for accurate comprehension Experts highlight two key factors influencing reading comprehension: the speed at which the brain processes word symbols, reflecting the reader's linguistic knowledge, and the influence of the reader's cultural background, referred to as "something behind the eyes." Thus, having a solid grasp of cultural background knowledge is crucial for effective reading Carrel emphasizes the importance of being aware of reading challenges in EFL/ESL classrooms that stem from the implicit cultural assumptions within texts.
Cultural background knowledge encompasses the information, ideas, perceptions, and emotional residues stored in readers' long-term memory According to Paulston and Bruder, this knowledge significantly facilitates the reading process.
Familiar cultural backgrounds enable students to effectively utilize cultural information during the decoding process, as highlighted in Paulston's book, "Teaching English as a Second Language: Techniques and Procedures" (1976, pp 5-6).
Cultural knowledge significantly influences reading comprehension, as it allows readers to connect textual material to their own backgrounds The integration of culture into English language teaching has gained recognition, with the new English Curriculum Standard highlighting cultural awareness as a key goal Despite this acknowledgment, many EFL teachers still overlook the importance of teaching culture, often due to time constraints or a lack of depth in their approach Consequently, students frequently remain unaware of the vital link between language learning and cultural understanding.
This study aims to explore the connection between cultural knowledge and reading fluency among learners Students in the experimental group will engage with culturally rich texts in their language classes, while their reading abilities will be compared to those of peers who only read standard materials The research anticipates that the inclusion of cultural teaching will lead to improved performance in reading comprehension for the experimental group, highlighting a significant relationship between cultural education and EFL readers' understanding of texts.
Integrating cultural knowledge into EFL classes significantly enhances the comprehension of short stories, novels, and reading texts for English language learners Therefore, the teaching of culture must be a fundamental component of the curriculum.
In an ideal foreign language classroom, a culture-based approach to teaching is influenced by various factors, including teachers' cultural knowledge, the classroom environment, and learners' attitudes toward the foreign language These elements significantly affect the success of culture teaching, as highlighted by Damen (1997), who emphasizes the crucial role of teachers as cultural guides Additionally, textbooks are vital in culture learning; Wandel (2003) suggests they should include materials that stimulate discussion on cultural issues This study underscores the significance of teaching culture to enhance reading comprehension and vocabulary breadth Recognizing cultural competence as equally important as linguistic competence allows for a more focused approach to culture instruction in foreign language education.
This study examines the impact of cultural background on reading comprehension by comparing language learners' scores on reading tests that feature culturally familiar content versus those with more common content.
Research questions
Is there any correlation between EFL high school students' cultural knowledge and their reading speed?
How does EFL high school students' cultural knowledge affect their reading comprehension?
Research methods
Research on the relationship between cultural knowledge and reading comprehension primarily employs experimental methods By analyzing various test results, we can identify correlations between students' reading fluency and their cultural knowledge Understanding this relationship allows us to effectively integrate and adjust cultural content in textbooks and supplementary materials This approach aims to enhance the appeal of English lessons and improve students' reading abilities.
Participants include 40 students studying English at the same level in my High School
Forty students are required to complete Cultural English Tests, which consist of reading passages at the KET or PET level Initially, students receive separate papers containing the reading texts, which they must read within a time limit of five to eight minutes, depending on their memory and comprehension skills After collecting the reading texts, students are given a separate set of questions to answer, including True or False options, based on their understanding of the passage The purpose of the Cultural English Test is to ensure that all students are at the same proficiency level while also measuring their reading speed This reading speed assessment will be conducted three times over the course of several weeks.
At the second stage, General Knowledge tests are carried out on those forty students at three different times Reading passages accompanied with their
8 questions are given to them at the same time Marks on this kind of test will be stored to compare with the above tests
Forty students will complete a series of reading tests, including Cultural Knowledge Tests and General Reading Tests The scores from these assessments will be compared to determine any correlations The anticipated outcomes may reveal a positive correlation, a negative correlation, or no correlation at all.
Thesis design
The thesis consists of five chapters
Chapter 1 is the introduction, which provides a brief introduction, rationale and an overview of the thesis such as research objectives, questions, methods and thesis design
Chapter 2 is the literature review, in which previous research about the nature of cultural knowledge, reading comprehension, reading speed; difficulties which ELF students have in reading English texts and methods to develop EFL reading fluency will be discussed
Chapter 3 refers to the methodology of this thesis including research questions, participants, materials and procedures
Chapter 4 presents findings and discussion dealing with results on cultural knowledge tests, pre-test and post-test results, then leading to the relationship between cultural knowledge and reading speed, and the relationship between cultural knowledge and reading fluency
Chapter 5 is considered conclusion which contains summary & conclusion, limitations of the study and recommendation for further research
LITERATURE REVIEW
Cultural knowledge
Cultural knowledge encompasses the understanding of the characteristics, history, values, belief systems, and behaviors of a specific ethnic group (Adams, 1995) It refers to the insights that define a culture during a particular historical period, including cultural dimensions such as individualism-collectivism and long-term relationships This knowledge can be enhanced by observing everyday habits and customs, including food, music, festivals, traditions, and rituals Additionally, paying attention to social interactions, such as greetings and conversations, along with language, serves as a significant indicator of a culture's essence.
2.1.2 Important factors of Cultural knowledge
Cultural knowledge is essential for enhancing learners' reading comprehension skills, particularly among EFL high school students The relationship between students' cultural understanding and their reading speed significantly influences their reading fluency development.
To enhance students' understanding of cultural influences, self-observation is essential When faced with behaviors or attitudes that appear foreign or frustrating, it’s important to identify the underlying assumptions and values that shape these interactions A negative response to an authoritarian management style may stem from deeper cultural frameworks, highlighting the need for awareness and sensitivity in cross-cultural communication.
12 assumptions and values you hold related to social status or the value of titles and power Cultural knowledge can first be accessed through a person’s attitude
Personal experiences and viewpoints significantly enhance self-awareness, revealing the assumptions and values that shape our perceptions of what is natural and normal By observing cultural patterns that influence behavior in ourselves and others, we can better understand different perspectives This understanding allows us to respond calmly and rationally to behaviors that may initially seem different or annoying.
Cultural knowledge is significantly influenced by a group's traditions and societal customs, impacting learners' sensitivity to cultural differences across various social groupings This applies not only to the broader understanding of culture as defined by anthropologists but also to the distinctions among different nationalities and ethnicities Additionally, it encompasses the micro-cultures formed within specific organizations, such as companies.
Learners' overall abilities across various fields significantly influence their cultural knowledge Developing this understanding demands considerable effort, especially in identifying the assumptions and values that drive personal behavior and how they are perceived by others By dedicating time to explore valuable information across different domains, students enhance their capacity to retain and apply this knowledge effectively.
13 information This partly contributes to enrich learners’ cultural knowledge
Cultural conflict often arises from a lack of awareness regarding how culture influences both our actions and those of others To navigate and resolve these conflicts effectively, individuals must cultivate flexibility and openness This adaptability is essential for gaining cultural knowledge in various aspects of our lives.
High school students are often sensitive to grasping cultural knowledge across various subjects For instance, a student proficient in biology can easily comprehend reading materials related to photosynthesis, highlighting the interconnectedness of their academic skills and cultural understanding.
Students who possess a strong understanding of physics concepts can efficiently tackle reading comprehension questions related to topics like weightlessness and acceleration Additionally, their familiarity with chemistry enables them to grasp concepts such as the dissolution of salt in water and the relevant formulas more quickly When encountering lengthy texts about biographies or character descriptions, prior knowledge of these subjects in literature or history makes the reading process less daunting, allowing learners to navigate the material with ease.
This study explores how cultural background knowledge influences English language learning, with a particular focus on reading skills It examines whether there are significant differences in reading comprehension performance based on cultural knowledge and overall English proficiency The findings will shed light on the impact of cultural understanding on language acquisition.
14 on subjects' performance in reading comprehension is considered to be pretty important
2.1.3 Cultural knowledge in high school English curriculum
Culture and communication are intricately linked, yet interculturalists often neglect the importance of language competence, just as language educators may overlook the development of intercultural skills Language and culture are interdependent, with language serving as a vital communication tool that allows individuals to express ideas and objects within their social and physical environments Mastering a foreign language is not merely about substituting words and rules but involves a deeper understanding of the cultural context that shapes communication.
Cultural shocks are inevitable for individuals who lack the ability to apply their foreign language skills appropriately and understand the underlying cultural nuances Even fluent speakers can face challenges if they do not grasp the social or philosophical aspects of the language, leading to overconfidence and potential misunderstandings In complex social situations, a lack of deep cultural understanding can result in unintentional offense To minimize misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication, it is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cultural dimensions associated with the language.
New English textbooks open new interesting horizons for students in grade
The English curriculum features a dedicated section titled "Communication and Culture" in each unit, spanning two student-books designed for a school year's two semesters Student-book 1 introduces learners to various cultural differences, enriching their understanding of global perspectives.
15 among South East Asian countries with simple and familiar topics such as
The English Student-book 2 explores diverse cultures, featuring engaging topics such as family life in Singapore and Vietnam, as well as health practices in Indonesia and Vietnam This resource captivates learners by presenting a rich tapestry of cultural insights from European countries and Africa, making it an exciting educational tool.
Family life In Singapore In Viet Nam
What is the popular type of family?
Who takes care of young children when their parents are at work?
Nursery school or child- minder
Who looks after elderly parents?
Nursery home Children or grand children
How do the parents contribute to educating their children?
Taking part in the activities of Parent Support Group or Parent Teacher Association
Helping their children with their homework or giving them advice on behavior
Vietnam and Singapore, both situated in Southeast Asia, share a vibrant cultural landscape influenced by their tropical climate, which encourages beach vacations year-round Their culinary traditions exhibit similarities, with rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs being central to both Vietnamese and Singaporean cuisines, recognized as some of the healthiest in the world Dining often follows a "family style," where individuals serve themselves rice and share various dishes placed in the center of the table In these cultures, males typically assume the role of heads of households, while young adults often reside with their parents until marriage, highlighting the significant role women play in family dynamics.
16 the society Gender discrimination has been eliminated so that everyone has equal opportunities in education…
The environment is polluted and it is alarming in Vietnam Vietnam displayed even worse performance including air quality with effects on human health, water, and environmental burden of diseases
+ Education System has been developed better and better
+ Children spend 5 years in primary school, 4 years in secondary school and 3 years in high school and then go on to a vocational or university
The star represents the five main classes in Vietnamese society— intellectuals, farmers, workers, businessmen and military
Reading comprehension
Reading skills are essential for learners engaging with a new foreign language, serving as the foundation for language mastery Effective reading comprehension significantly enhances the learning experience, making the process of studying English more engaging and dynamic.
Reading comprehension is the ability to derive meaning from text, necessitating various skills such as word recognition, fluency, and prior knowledge for effective understanding (Pressley, 2000; Birsch, 2011) It significantly impacts Passage Comprehension and Reading Fluency; improved reading skills lead to better performance in Reading Vocabulary Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies According to Richards and Rodgers (1986), reading comprehension represents the connection between the author and the reader, allowing readers to uncover the author's intentions and answer questions based on the text Consequently, readers actively seek meaning, paralleling the writer's role in crafting language Despite differing definitions among linguists, there is consensus that reading is meaningless without comprehension.
2.2.2 The importance of reading comprehension
Reading comprehension constitutes approximately forty percent of the English test in the National General Examination for High School students each year This skill is essential not only for excelling in this crucial exam but also for meeting college entrance requirements.
Students often feel intimidated by lengthy or complex texts in exams As a teacher, I have explored various simple and effective methods to help them build confidence and tackle English tests successfully Mastering reading passages is crucial for achieving success in these assessments There are several useful tips that can enhance reading skills, and students' real-life knowledge and cultural experiences also play a significant role in their ability to complete tests effectively.
Effective management of reading passages is crucial for students aiming to excel in their exams, particularly when reading in a foreign language, which can be quite challenging To enhance comprehension, students employ various reading strategies such as summarization, inference, and prediction These strategies not only help struggling readers engage with the text but also facilitate better understanding (Fritschmann, Deshler, & Schumaker, 2007; Swanson, Edmon, et al., 2011) According to Kintsch (1994), successful comprehension involves utilizing information in innovative ways, alongside summarizing and making inferences from the material.
Teaching new vocabulary within sentence contexts enhances practicality, while integrating cultural knowledge into reading materials facilitates easier comprehension for students Although reading passages can be challenging, they significantly impact learners' understanding Therefore, employing effective reading strategies is crucial for mastering a foreign language more efficiently Ultimately, the primary goal of reading is comprehension—extracting meaning from written text Further research highlights the active process involved in constructing meaning.
Effective reading comprehension is essential for students, as it significantly impacts their overall life experiences Without the ability to understand what they read, students may find reading to be a frustrating task A primary objective of reading comprehension instruction is to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences to become proficient and passionate readers.
Comprehension is the ultimate goal of the reading process; without it, students cannot grasp the valuable lessons within texts Research by Cain and Oakhill (2011) highlights the Matthew effect, which suggests that the gap between proficient and struggling readers widens over time Factors present before a child starts school can significantly influence their reading abilities, regardless of their cognitive skills Poor decoding skills can hinder comprehension, leading to a decreased motivation to read for pleasure Conversely, students with strong word reading skills but weak comprehension may also avoid reading, creating a cyclical challenge where reading practice is essential for improvement.
Several key factors significantly influence reading comprehension, including learners' working memory, vocabulary, prior knowledge, word recognition, reading strategies, and motivation Individuals with strong working memory tend to acquire a broader vocabulary, which enhances their reading skills Additionally, prior cultural knowledge plays a crucial role in enabling learners to understand and recognize new words effectively.
34 remember them easily in some specific contexts Then they manage their own reading strategies to have an overall look at the main ideas which are conveyed in reading texts
Cain and Oakhill (2011) suggest that poor readers often select books that fail to enhance their reading and comprehension skills Reading exposes individuals to a wider vocabulary, which is crucial for developing their knowledge and abilities The language found in written texts differs significantly from everyday spoken language Engaging with longer passages allows students to synthesize information, decode and define words, and connect new knowledge with existing understanding A limited vocabulary can hinder comprehension, as students struggle to apply their word knowledge in context Pressley (2000) emphasizes that if readers cannot decode words, their comprehension suffers; proficient decoders recognize prefixes, suffixes, and roots rather than sounding out unfamiliar words letter by letter.
Various reading exercises are designed to evaluate reading comprehension, with cloze format tests placing a greater emphasis on word decoding skills compared to traditional question-answering tests This difference arises because learners can often rely on the overall meaning or their background knowledge when responding to comprehension questions Additionally, assessments that require students to write open-ended answers can provide deeper insights into their comprehension abilities Furthermore, timed tests tend to measure reading speed more effectively than untimed assessments, highlighting the importance of test format in evaluating reading skills (Alderson, 2000, p 205-206).
Testers have various typologies to assess learners' reading skills, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer queries, sentence completion tasks, and summarization exercises They can also evaluate comprehension through identifying the writer's views using yes/no questions, as well as matching lists and phrases This article briefly discusses each of these assessment methods as outlined by Alderson.
True or false questions, multiple-choice questions, and matching exercises are common methods for evaluating students' reading comprehension These tests serve as broad measures to identify individual reading abilities, as two students may achieve the same score through different strengths, such as vocabulary or decoding skills Understanding these key components is essential for interpreting reading performance and tailoring instruction Teachers play a crucial role in motivating students to engage with texts, leading to improved reading comprehension and more dynamic classroom participation in English classes.
Reading speed
Reading speed refers to an individual's ability to read and comprehend written texts efficiently It is measured by the rate at which a person processes and understands written material, indicating their proficiency in reading.
Reading speed is typically measured by the number of words read per minute, reflecting a reader's ability to comprehend text efficiently Nelson (1948) defines reading speed as "the capacity with which meanings are accurately grasped," highlighting its significance as a crucial indicator of reading competence Understanding the meaning of a text quickly and accurately is essential for effective reading.
Reading speed is influenced by various factors, including a reader's purpose, expertise, and the text's complexity It plays a crucial role in reading skills, significantly affecting readers' fluency As noted by Fraser (2007), effective reading involves the ability to read quickly and smoothly with minimal focus on mechanics However, EFL learners often struggle with reading comprehension, leading to frustration when faced with lengthy texts.
Higher reading speeds correlate with improved reading fluency, which encompasses accuracy, appropriate pace, and expressive reading Fluency serves as a crucial indicator of reading comprehension; when children read fluently, they can focus on understanding the text rather than decoding words Therefore, fostering reading fluency is essential for enhancing overall comprehension skills.
Vocalization significantly impacts reading speed, as it involves pronouncing words while reading This method slows down the process compared to silent reading, where the eyes can move more swiftly than the tongue When readers vocalize, they often read word by word, which can hinder their overall reading efficiency To combat this, teachers often encourage students to use a pencil to guide their eyes, promoting smoother and faster reading.
37 mouths as the read will solve this problem because “this will inhibit the physical action of the lips” (Cramer, 1998, p 9)
Using a pointer like a finger, pencil, or ruler to highlight words while reading can help focus attention on each word This technique encourages a slower, more deliberate reading pace, allowing for better comprehension As noted by Badrawi (1992), this method can enhance the reading experience by promoting word-by-word analysis.
In foreign language (FL) learning, particularly when the second language (L2) writing system differs from the first language (L1), students often develop a habit of using their fingers to read faster This pointing action can enhance reading speed, especially for younger learners who are guided by teachers to point at words as they read However, as students mature, it becomes essential for them to highlight key words and phrases in texts to improve their reading efficiency To help students overcome the reliance on finger-pointing, educators should encourage them to fold their hands, promoting better focus and reading habits.
Regressive eye movement, often criticized for hindering reading speed, occurs when readers shift their gaze backward to revisit previous words instead of progressing smoothly to the next ones While some regression can indicate active reading—allowing readers to verify their predictions or understanding—excessive backward movements significantly slow down reading speed, ultimately leading to decreased comprehension (Badrawi, 1992, p 19).
To calculate reading speed, readers can use a text, a watch, and a calculator Monitoring reading speed is essential, as it allows readers to estimate their words per minute by dividing the total word count of the text by the time spent reading Despite its importance, many readers have never taken the time to measure their reading speed.
Readers often struggle to accurately measure their reading speed, as it can vary significantly depending on the type of material being read To obtain a precise measurement, it's essential to consider the different genres and formats of texts, as these factors influence an individual's reading pace.
When measuring reading speed, it should be concentrated on three measures, all three required to evaluate how readers’ speed reading is progressing
Average speed refers to the number of words a reader can comprehend in a minute To calculate this, select a page from a book and time how long it takes to read it Then, divide the total number of words on the page by the time taken in minutes The result indicates the reader's average speed, expressed in words per minute.
An effective measure of reading speed must consider text comprehension, which is linked to processing speed To evaluate a reader's understanding, it is essential for them to answer questions following the assessment of their average reading speed.
Reader’s memorizing speed is the amount of words he can read and comprehend per minute This number is obtained by multiplying reader’s average speed and processing speed (in percentage).
Difficulties ELF students have in reading English texts
Strong reading skills are crucial for students' success in high school English classes, making their development a primary objective of early education programs Reading not only enhances vocabulary but also broadens students' understanding of the world.
Many students face challenges in decoding vocabulary, phrases, and ideas, which can hinder their reading abilities Reading is essential for success in both speaking and writing Undiagnosed learning difficulties may contribute to these challenges Therefore, it is crucial for teachers to equip children with effective coping strategies to help them overcome obstacles and reach their reading milestones.
Reading development involves understanding the process and overcoming challenges that learners face in acquiring reading strategies, as not all students progress at the same pace It starts with mastering pre-literacy skills, such as learning the alphabet and developing phonemic awareness Following this, phonics instruction is essential for teaching children to associate sounds with letters and decode words As beginners become familiar with more terms, their reading speed increases through whole word recognition or sight-reading, which can be enhanced through direct instruction in high-frequency vocabulary.
As students transition to middle school, they must enhance their comprehension skills by tackling complex texts and processing information more quickly Developing the ability to read efficiently is crucial not only for succeeding in classroom lessons but also for meeting homework demands and excelling in standardized tests.
Learners often face three primary challenges when encountering a new foreign language, with decoding text being a significant hurdle This process, also known as sounding out words, involves matching sounds to letters to interpret written language Beginners frequently struggle with unfamiliar terms, but decoding skills improve with phonics instruction and consistent practice in reading aloud Continued reading can further enhance these skills over time.
Effective reading comprehension relies on a combination of recognition and cultural knowledge, which enhances language acquisition A common challenge for students is poor comprehension, often stemming from difficulties in recognizing letters and words, as well as understanding phrases, sentences, and paragraphs When beginner readers encounter unfamiliar vocabulary or struggle with decoding, they may skip words, leading to gaps in understanding that make reading more cognitively demanding and frustrating This struggle can result from limited vocabulary or texts that are too advanced Additionally, successful reading requires attention to narrative elements, enabling students to grasp the gist, identify main ideas, recognize specific details, and make inferences about the content.
The reading speed of students plays a crucial role in their success in learning a foreign language Increased reading exposes students to unfamiliar vocabulary, and often, the context helps them infer meanings As their vocabulary expands, they recognize more words visually, which enhances their reading speed Continued practice with sight words can aid those who struggle with decoding However, if reading speed remains an issue, it may indicate underlying problems like slow processing Reading is cognitively demanding, and students with slower processing may find it challenging to retain information while decoding text Therefore, strategy instruction is beneficial, but it's essential to provide these students with additional time for tasks requiring extensive reading.
Learners who lack effective strategies face significant obstacles in reading comprehension Unlike proficient readers, many struggling readers do not employ strategic reading techniques and often lack the metacognitive awareness necessary to identify, choose, and utilize strategies that could improve their understanding of texts.
Poor readers typically do not prepare before reading and fail to set clear goals, which hinders their ability to effectively engage with different types of texts They often struggle with decoding words accurately, leading to slow and labored reading This lack of fluency prevents them from fully comprehending the material, as their focus on deciphering words distracts from grasping the overall message of the text.
Poor readers often struggle due to a lack of background knowledge on the text's topic, making it difficult for them to connect ideas They frequently encounter unfamiliar vocabulary, hindering their ability to determine word meanings Even when they possess relevant background knowledge, they may not activate it effectively for comprehension Additionally, poor readers often lack awareness of text organization, which affects their understanding of both narrative and expository structures.
Poor readers often fail to reflect on their reading, rarely seeking additional information on topics This lack of engagement can lead to a decline in their reading confidence Due to the challenges they face, these individuals tend not to read extensively, resulting in limited exposure to diverse materials.
High school students often struggle with reading due to the limited amount of text they encounter, resulting in less practice and skill development Additionally, the texts assigned to them are frequently too challenging, leading to frustration and disengagement Consequently, lengthy texts can become a significant hurdle for these students.
Reading passages constitute 40% of major examinations, making it crucial for students to master reading comprehension skills to improve their exam performance Overcoming challenges in reading can lead to better results, highlighting the importance of teaching effective reading strategies.
Methods to develop EFL reading fluency
Many students often feel intimidated by reading texts, leading them to overlook potentially easy passages This fear can result in missed opportunities for valuable insights and evidence related to their questions By actively engaging with the text, students can uncover helpful information and utilize their cultural knowledge to enhance their understanding and analysis of the material.
Effective readers begin by establishing clear goals for their reading, paying attention to the text's structure to create a mental outline that aligns with their objectives As they read, they focus on accurate and swift word recognition while simultaneously grasping the meanings of phrases and sentences Additionally, proficient readers make connections between the meanings of individual sentences, enhancing their overall comprehension.
Good readers often leverage their background knowledge to clarify confusing words and phrases They actively engage with the text by questioning its content and reflecting on its ideas, enhancing their understanding and comprehension.
Skilled readers utilize their background knowledge to predict future events and comprehend new ideas, continuously assessing and adjusting their predictions They read selectively, concentrating on sections of the text that align with their reading objectives, and may choose to skip portions they already understand or deem irrelevant.
Readers often focus on key sections of a text that align with their learning needs, leading them to skip parts of a chapter if they encounter familiar information.
Readers may choose to reread a passage or chapter if they find the content unclear or if the topic captivates their interest Additionally, as they read, they often summarize the material, allowing them to identify key points, supportive details, and less significant information.
Good readers actively make inferences by utilizing their background knowledge and seeking textual clues to uncover information about characters and events that the author has not explicitly stated Additionally, they often visualize settings, events, or characters, which enhances their comprehension of the text.
Effective readers actively monitor their understanding during reading When they encounter confusion, they employ strategies to clarify their comprehension, such as questioning the text, rephrasing sections in their own words, researching difficult vocabulary, or outlining key concepts Additionally, proficient readers engage in reflection, mentally summarizing important points and seeking supplementary information from other sources related to the topic.
Effective readers typically employ strategic reading techniques, utilizing various comprehension strategies to extract meaning from texts These strategies are intentional methods or plans that enhance understanding and facilitate deeper engagement with the material.
This study aims to assist English teachers in enhancing their students' reading comprehension skills, ultimately leading to improved communication in foreign languages and higher scores on tests and important exams By empowering readers to make informed decisions about which strategies to employ and when to apply them, the research seeks to foster better academic outcomes.
Good readers practice metacognition, which involves being aware of their own thinking processes while reading This awareness allows them to effectively utilize various comprehension strategies tailored to specific texts Cognition encompasses mental functions like memory, attention, and information processing, while metacognition focuses on individuals' understanding of their cognitive processes By engaging in metacognitive practices, readers can enhance their comprehension skills and adapt their reading strategies accordingly.
This chapter presents information about the research methodology on the relationship between reading fluency and cultural knowledge This chapter includes research questions, participants, materials and procedures.
Research questions
The research was designed to seek the answers for the following questions:
Is there any correlation between EFL high school students' cultural knowledge and their reading speed?
How does EFL high school students' cultural knowledge affect their reading fluency?
Participants
This research was conducted with the participation of forty high school students in Long An province, who are studying English as a foreign language They attend four 45-minute English classes each week, following a ten-year English curriculum that focuses on developing the four essential skills: reading, speaking, listening, and writing The students engage in various English projects that incorporate rich cultural content, often encountering lessons filled with new vocabulary and engaging material.
Materials
The research utilized reading tests that included selected reading texts and corresponding comprehension questions These texts were sourced from students' English textbooks and reference materials, including National General Examination resources, TOEFL reading assessments, and Cambridge Preliminary Tests.
The lesson content in tests is reliable, valid and suitable for high school students.
Procedures
This research investigates the connection between cultural knowledge and reading fluency by utilizing three initial reading tests derived from students' textbooks to assess reading speed and cultural understanding After administering these tests, reading comprehension questions were distributed Subsequently, three additional tests were created from reference books to further evaluate students' reading fluency and speed These tests serve as pre-tests for learners who encounter assessments without prior cultural knowledge Finally, the study concluded with two final tests: one incorporating cultural knowledge from the textbooks and another featuring unfamiliar cultural content.
The thesis discusses an experimental research study conducted with forty high school students in Long An province, involving eight reading tests administered every two to three weeks The research was divided into three main stages, beginning with three texts derived from the New English Textbook program This initial phase aimed to assess the students' reading speed, measured in words per minute, as well as their cultural knowledge.
A study involving 48 students was conducted to assess reading speed and cultural knowledge through three standardized reading tests The researcher began by distributing record sheets to all participants and ensured objectivity by placing the reading passages face down Once the tests were turned over, students read the passages and recorded their reading times Following this, comprehension questions were administered to 40 students, who were given 15 minutes to complete them The question sheets were then collected by the teacher Each of the three tests was administered in a similar manner to maintain consistency in measuring learners' reading abilities.
The second stage of my research involved analyzing three reading passages from various reference materials, including National General Examination materials, TOEFL reading tests, and Cambridge Preliminary Tests These tests were designed to measure students' reading speed when confronted with more complex passages during significant examinations The data from both research stages were visually represented in charts and analyzed using the SPSS statistics program, yielding specific numerical results to demonstrate their validity Additionally, the research highlights a positive correlation between students' cultural knowledge and their reading comprehension.
After five weeks of instruction, encompassing around 25 forty-five-minute periods, my students' English lessons were enriched with cultural content This integration of cultural knowledge significantly enhanced their learning experience.
The study concluded that Cultural Knowledge significantly influences students' reading comprehension abilities, based on comparisons of scores from two ultimate reading tests—one from their Textbook and another from a Reference Book The findings suggest several implications for teaching reading skills, while also acknowledging the study's limitations to guide future research.