Summarization Strategy Training and Reading Comprehension of Iranian ESP Learners

Abstract

The present paper examines the possible outcomes of the effectiveness of a main idea strategy, summarization strategy, and the explicitness of the training on improving comprehension of English textual materials of Iranian ESP learners. In total, 70 university ESP students in Iran joined this study and assigned to two homogeneous groups of experimental and control. Data was collected in a Pretest and Posttest design. Pretest showed that control and experimental groups were not different regarding their reading comprehension. But statistical results demonstrate a significant difference between the pre- and post- tests in that the experimental group outperformed the control group in post reading comprehension test. Findings indicate that the explicit instruction on summarizing strategy can effectively contribute to enhancing the ability and aptitude of ESP learners in comprehending reading and can help them build up a constructive attitude toward English reading in Iranian context.