Logical Connectors in the Reading and Writing of Bahraini Secondary School EFL learners

Linked Agent
Ahmed, Madani Osman, Thesis advisor
Date Issued
2017
Language
English
Extent
[1], 11, 110 pages
Place of institution
Sakhir, Bahrain
Thesis Type
Thesis (Master)
Institution
UNIVERSITY OF BAHRAIN, College of Arts , Department of English Language and Literature
English Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study aims at investigating the use of logical connectors in the reading and writing of Bahraini Secondary School EFL learners. In addition, it examines the effect of teaching logical connectors on students' reading comprehension and writing abilities. The study endeavored to find out the most common connectors used in students' writing. Also, if there are any incorrect uses of logical connectors. Moreover, it investigates the correlation between the use of connectors and the writing quality (writing proficiency) and students' understanding the function of the connectors. The research questions were answered through students' answers to a battery of three pre-tests and post-tests. The students were given a reading comprehension test based on understanding logical connecters, production test, and a writing test. The students' answers to these writing tasks were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The participants of the study included Bahraini students. They were divided into control and experimental groups. They were female third year students at secondary school, who were at the intermediate level of proficiency in the English language. The experimental group was taught logical connectors through teaching writing, while the control group was not taught logical connectors. The results of the pre-tests revealed that students rarely use logical connectors, and they generally do not understand their functions. Thus, the writing quality was weak. On the other hand, the results in the post-tests indicated that implementing teaching helped the students improve their use of logical connectors. Furthermore, students used many different connectors and they were able to answer the reading comprehension and production test. As a result, their writing became stronger in terms of quality. Accordingly, the study provided some implications for teachers, students, and curriculum designers.
Member of
Identifier
https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/id/4e4d9759-9802-44e8-be80-4b03c40105fb