Improving Reading Fluency and Reading Comprehension with NIM-Assisted Teaching: An Activity Research

Abstract

Reading fluency and reading comprehension are the most prominent characteristics of a good reader. In this study, the aim is helping the students who have reading deficiencies although they do not have any mental or physical handicaps to overcome their reading problems. For this purpose, The Neurological Impress Method (NIM) was applied accompanied by various activities that aim to develop the “Sight Words” capacities of the students in the process of teaching how to read. Determining the influence of the teaching how to read process on permanence in reading and comprehension is the main purpose of the study. Two students who had insufficiency in reading although they did not have any mental or physical drawbacks were included in the study. The Activity Research Method was adopted in the study. Some adjustments were made in the process in order to increase the efficiency of the method used in the study (NIM). By doing so, the purpose was to improve the NIM process. The reading levels of the students in the study were determined by using the “Mistake Analysis Inventory”. The levels of the texts used in the study were determined by using the “Fog Test”. Also, additional data were obtained with the interviews with the students, teachers and parents. According to the results of the study, it was observed that “Neurological Impress Method”, which was performed by converting the words in the text into Sight Words, ensured that the students acquired reading fluency skills, and improved their comprehension skills. In addition, it was also observed that NIM-assisted reading process, which was applied in the study, had a positive influence on the self-confidence of the students in terms of reading.