Do EFL Saudi learners perform differently with online reading? An exploratory study

Abstract

New forms of literacy and reading approaches are emerging as a result of the Internet’s increasing dominance as a major source of information. To foreign language learners, the Internet is a tool through which they can access authentic target language content. This study reports the results of a study conducted to explore the effect of reading on the Internet on Saudi EFL learners’ overall reading comprehension performance. The participating students were divided into two groups. The experimental group was asked to take a reading comprehension test in an internet format. The control group took the same test in its print format. The results indicate that the Internet has a positive impact on the overall reading comprehension ability. Students who are asked to take the Inherent-based reading test outperformed the other group. This finding comes in accordance with the results of some of the few studies carried out in this area within EFL contexts. Several factors could have contributed to this outcome. The assumption that the Internet raises the level of motivation among EFL learners can justify this conclusion. Another hypothesis is based on the form of strategies and skills involved in reading on the Internet. Online reading may encourage the proper use of the right strategies that meet the particular needs of reading comprehension among EFL learners. Whatever the explanation is, the study calls for more in-depth examination of the online reading strategies and skills.