An Investigation into the Effect of L1 ( Persian ) Reading Product on the Product and Process of Reading in EGP and ESP

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of reading product in L1 on EGP and ESP reading product and process. Thirty nine tertiary level students took part in this study. They were divided into two groups of high and low performers based on L1 reading test scores. Then they were given tests of reading in EGP and ESP, which were immediately followed by reading strategies questionnaire as well as an interview as retrospective measures of their reading behavior. Analysis of data evidenced that there was no significant difference between the two L1 reading ability groups in reading process in EGP and ESP as well as the reading product in ESP. But in EGP reading there was a significant difference in the reading product for high and low groups of L1 reading ability. Cook (2007) maintains the cognitive processing of information is slower and less efficient in a foreign language. As the L1 reading product is no good predictor for L2 reading success, it is recommended to get tertiary students more familiar with the L2 code so that they become independent in text processing of different general and specific genres.