THE METACOGNITIVE AWARENESS OF READING STRATEGIES IN THAI EFL LEARNERS

Abstract

This paper explores the metacognitive awareness of reading strategies and the use of reading strategies among Thai EFL learners. Fifteen female university students who are in their fourth-year undergraduate study of English at a Thai university participated in this study. The study used a mixed-method approach. The Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (MARSI) was used to investigate the participants’ metacognitive awareness involved in reading. Also, to insightfully assess and analyze the participants’ reading strategies while they were reading the academic texts, a think-aloud protocol was used. The findings reveal that the participants’ overall use of metacognitive awareness of reading strategies (Global, Problem-solving, and Support reading strategies) was at a high level (Mean = 2.85, S.D. = 0.31). Among 30 individual reading strategies, the most frequently used was underlining and circling (Mean = 3.60, S.D. = 0.74), which fall under Support Reading Strategy (SUP). On the other hand, it can be seen that the least frequently used reading strategy was asking self-questions (Mean = 1.93, S.D. = 0.70), under the category of SUP strategies. When considering the appropriate and effective use of metacognitive reading strategies in the think aloud protocol by the participants in successful reading comprehension, it is discovered that using background knowledge, previewing text, reading slowly and carefully, pausing to reflect on reading, taking notes while reading, and summarizing were frequently used the students.Keywords: EFL learners, metacognitive, reading strategies, think aloud, Thailand. Cite as: Chutichaiwirath, K. & Sitthitikul, P. (2017). The metacognitive awareness of reading strategies in Thai EFL learners. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(2), 1-14.