Exploring ESL Students’ Reading Interest
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
ABSTRACT
Malaysians’ reading habit and interest are still less than satisfactory as Malaysia is far from a reading society. The government should revise their policy of exam-oriented education which places too much prominence on examinations and not enough on the importance of the reading process. Thus, this study intends to explore ESL students’ reading interest focusing on the printed materials as well as online reading. The findings revealed that online reading dominated the ESL students’ reading interest compared to printed materials such as books, newspapers and magazines. Hence, it is important for ESL teachers to develop teaching approaches involving Information Communication Technology (ICT) to inculcate students’ reading interest that will endure and produce sustained independent readers. Therefore, it is time for the government and the community to strengthen their moves to promote effective reading interest to overcome the vital contemporary issue.
KEYWORDS
reading interest, reading society, motivation, reading skills.