Preparing Students for

Reading Comprehension Tests

An Action Research Project Proposal

Dr. Nellie Deutsch

University of Phoenix
2005
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Action Research Project Proposal

The Problem Statement

Grade nine EFL students lack the skills to cope with

reading comprehension tests.

Action Research Project Proposal

Purpose
Determine the causes Build a workable curriculum program Provide students with test taking techniques Improve student scores

Action Research Project Proposal

Background Description
Population

Work Setting
Writers Role

Action Research Project Proposal

Problem Documentation
Two Surveys

Online Questionnaires Students Parents Teachers

Offline Questionnaires Students
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Action Research Project Proposal Survey Results

(Before Intervention)

QuestionPro Online Survey Program

http://www.questionpro.com/akira/ShowResults?id=161974

Action Research Project Proposal

Students: What thoughts do you have during the test? I wish I had prepared myself better. 25.71%

I won't have enough time.

I am doing great. I wish I could be somewhere else

39.05%
20.95% 14.29%

Action Research Project Proposal

Teachers: ESL/EFL students are anxious during reading comprehension tests in English. Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree
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34.15% 45.85% 8.29% 8.78% 2.93%

Action Research Project Proposal

Teachers: ____ of my ESL/EFL students are/were anxious during reading comprehension tests. Most Some Many None A few 31.03% 36.55% 25.52% 2.07% 4.83%

Action Research Project Proposal

Parents: My daughter/son gets anxious when there is reading comprehension test in school. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral 41.03% 17.95% 23.08%

Disagree Strongly Disagree

18.38% 2.56%

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Action Research Project Proposal

Parents: Reading strategies would improve reading comprehension in English.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 70.27% 21.62% 8.11% 0.00% 0.00%

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Action Research Project Proposal

Teachers: ESL/EFL students would benefit from relaxation exercises before reading comprehension tests.
Strongly Agree 28.29%

Agree
Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree

37.07%
27.80% 3.90% 2.93%

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Action Research Project Proposal

Literature Review
Brief summary

Problem Solution

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Action Research Project Proposal

Solution Strategy
Reading Comprehension Test Taking Skills

12 Week Curriculum Program:

Reading Strategies Test Taking and Relaxation Techniques

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Action Research Project Proposal

Reading Strategies
General Layout
Paragraph: Introduction, body and conclusion Type of writing: letter, report, description, persuasion Skimming and scanning: Numbers, capital letters

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Action Research Project Proposal

Test Taking Techniques

Relaxation Exercises
Mindfulness: Present Breathing: Counting to 10 Color Visualization and Chakras Self-talk: Positive affirmations

Time Organization
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Results
Student scores before and after the 12-week implementation
80.15

57.3 Scores

Students

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Action Research Project Proposal

Audience Feedback
Questions Comments

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Action Research Project Proposal

Recommendations
Needs Assessment Survey
Questionnaire on test taking anxiety Questionnaire on reading strategies

Action research project

Comparison of grades before and after test taking and reading strategies curriculum program
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Action Research Project Proposal

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