The impact of opinion gap task and reasoning gap task on reading comprehension

Abstract

Regarding the crucial role of applying task-based instruction in EFL classes, this study tried to investigate the impact of two tasks, the opinion gap task and the reasoning gap task, on Iranian intermediate EFL learners' reading comprehension skills. The main population including three groups was selected after optional practical training administration, and determined as intermediate. First, a pre-test was given to three groups. After Task-Based Instruction implementation using two tasks, opinion gap and reasoning gap tasks, a post-test was given to identify the positive or negative impact of the treatment on reading comprehension. After the statistical analysis, from one-way ANOVA, the results of the post-test of the two experimental groups proved that applying task-based instruction had a more positive effect on the intermediate EFL learners' reading comprehension skills in comparison to the traditional teaching method which was used for the control group. According to the data analysis, despite the existing positive impact of the aforementioned tasks on reading comprehension skills, the pairwise comparison of the two experimental groups indicated that the opinion gap task and reasoning gap task had approximately an equal influence on learners' reading comprehension skills. Keywords: Cognitive tasks; EFL learners; opinion gap task; reading comprehension; reasoning gap task