ENHANCING VOCABULARY

Enhancing Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension of Native Arabic Speakers

ABSTRACT

The place of English in the Arab countries is an eminent one. Acquisition of English is viewed as a desirable end since it is seen as the language of wider international communication and of business and technology. However, the native Arabic speakers find it difficult to grasp the proper flow of the language. This study focuses on the enhancing the vocabulry and reading comprehension of Native Arabic speakers through cognate awareness. It also investigates the different methods to enhance the vocabulary and reading comprehension of Native Arabic Speakers. The problems and issues faced by the Arab speakers, especially students, while learning English language.

Keywords: Some of the keywords that were used to conduct the search are: Reading, vocabulary problems, reading disability, cross-linguistic, English language learners, comprehension helping materials, Language and Literacy Development etc.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACTii

INTRODUCTION1

Background of the study1

Aims and Objectives2

Significance of the Study2

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES3

Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension in Native Speakers4

Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension in ESL Students5

Strategies for Improving Vocabulary Acquisition6

Gulf Arab Students6

PROBLEM STATEMENT10

Research Questions10

METHODOLOGY12

Participants12

The Texts and Glosses12

The Instruments14

Results16

DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS20

CONCLUSION24

Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research25

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

English language is an international language, learning it has become a need for everyone in the world. This is especially important for this age of rapid globalization and information and technology wherein people have a completely altered interaction pattern and a growing need for communication with people from other parts of the world (Rosenshine, 2006). However, the native Arabic speakers or any other speakers of different language find it difficult to grasp the proper flow of the language.

These speakers, especially students, face problems due to the language gap and other such factors. They do have the ability to progress but due to some of the factors they face problems in learning and writing due to this language issue. This prevent them from effectively communicate their thoughts and opinions verbally as well as in writing. The place of English in the Arab countries is an eminent one. Acquisition of English is viewed as a desirable end since it is seen as the language of wider international communication and of business and technology. However, the need for English varies from one Arab state to another (Wright et al, 2007). It sometimes appears that the UAE learners of English enjoy an advantage over many of their fellow Arabs in the Arabic speaking world. One Jordanian writer feels that most Arab learners enjoy few opportunities to encounter or use English outside the classroom. Despite extensive use of English as a means of communication locally, many UAE students experience difficulties in the learning of English.

Aims and Objectives

This research has the following aims and objectives:

To determine the issues related to English language comprehension and reading in the native Arab speakers.

To determine the strategies for Improving Vocabulary Acquisition

Methods for improving English comprehension and reading

Analysis of the Arab students' English vocabulary and comprehension

Utilizing Texts and Glosses method

To suggest probable recommendations for further research in the said topic

Significance of ...