Effects of two forms of concept mapping on L2 reading comprehension and strategy awareness

Abstract

Abstract The present study investigates the effects of two concept mapping strategies, guided concept mapping and concept map correction, on second language (L2) reading comprehension during eight instructional sessions. The study also aims to examine the effects of these concept mapping techniques on learners’ awareness of other reading strategies. The participants included 56 intermediate level Persian EFL learners enrolled in three intact EFL classrooms. The three intact classes were designated as two experimental groups and one control condition. Learners in one experimental group were asked to do guided concept mapping by reading a text in each session and completing a partially filled concept map of the text afterwards. The participants of the second experimental group were provided with a similar text in each session along with its concept map in which some concepts were wrongly incorporated and were asked to revise the concept map. Participants of the control group were asked to read the same texts without doing any concept mapping activity. Reading comprehension pre- and post-tests and a strategy awareness questionnaire were used as dependent measures. Analysis of the participants’ post-test comprehension scores revealed that both concept mapping techniques were effective for promoting the participants’ reading comprehension skill. Meanwhile, the results indicated that map correction was more effective than guided concept mapping for promoting reading comprehension. The findings also revealed that drawing concept maps enhances learners’ awareness of other reading strategies.