The democratisation and commodification of education has witnessed an increase in postgraduate education as it is one of the main sources contributing to the advancement of knowledge, technology, and innovation. However, despite the significant rise in numbers, the returns at both the global and national levels have been low due to high attrition and low completion rates among the students. One among the numerous factors cited has been the postgraduate students’ limited competencies in language and research skills. In terms of language, postgraduate students are expected to possess good working knowledge of the English language and be able to read academic literature and write their thesis with acceptable standard of English. Therefore, the main aim of this paper was to assess postgraduate students’ perceived and actual performance in critical reading skills. This study involved a total of 50 postgraduate students from a private university in Malaysia. Data for this study were collected using a questionnaire and a reading test based on the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Reading Examination Paper. The findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the two performances. Students held a higher perception of their ability when compared to their actual performance in critical reading skills. These results indicate that there is a need for innovative approaches to develop postgraduate students’ critical reading skills so that they can successfully complete their studies within the given duration and graduate on time. Keywords: Critical Reading, Performance, Postgraduate Students, Postgraduate Study
The main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-determination and growth mindset with the English language proficiency of EFL tertiary students in the learning environment in China. The study involved 444 EFL students from one randomly selected faculty in a university located in Ningxia, China. The study utilized a quantitative research design. The findings revealed that the EFL students’ overall self-determination was at a moderate level, and there was a significant difference based on English language proficiency. Correspondingly, the EFL students displayed moderately positive perceptions of growth mindset, but no significant differences were seen with regard to English language proficiency. Keywords: EFL students, self-determination, growth mindset, English language proficiency eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI:
Sustaining the quality of student life in any learning environment should be the priority of all educators. This situation becomes even more challenging when international EFL postgraduate students are expected to function in a learning environment where English is the medium of instruction. This study aimed to enhance their reading skills by implementing a learner-centred instructional framework referred to as the PAH (Pedagogy-Andragogy-Heutagogy) Continuum. This reading programme witnessed a significant increase in students' reading comprehension skills. Students claimed to be more confident and experienced joy and learner satisfaction through a nurturing learning environment that encouraged peeragogy and cybergogy. Keywords: reading skills; postgraduate students; EFL; PAH Continuum eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i22.4145
Research reveals that several factors affect the quality of learning environments. Therefore, this study investigated significant factors that affect postgraduate students’ learning environment with regard to graduate on time (GOT). The study was conducted in a private Malaysian university involving 50 PhD students. Data were collected via tests, a questionnaire, and focus-group interviews. The findings revealed that critical reading skills and supervisory factors were significant factors affecting students’ ability to GOT. This implies that universities should integrate early intervention training programs to hone students’ critical literacy skills and provide effective supervisory practices for a sustainable quality postgraduate learning environment. Keywords: postgraduate students; graduate-on-time; quality learning environment; influencing factors eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2023. The Authors. Published for AMER & cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v8i24.4649
Effective reading skills are often viewed as the foundation to learning a foreign language as it is a ‘comprehensible input’ when learning a language. Therefore, this study aimed to examine EFL tertiary students’ metacognitive awareness of reading strategies. The study was conducted in one provincial university in China, involving 424 EFL students. The study utilised an explanatory sequential research design. Data were collected via a reading test, a questionnaire and interviews. The findings revealed that students possessed medium levels of metacognitive awareness with global and problem-solving strategies significantly affecting EFL students’ reading comprehension performance. Keywords: Metacognitive Awareness; Reading Strategies; Quality EFL Teaching and Learning eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2023. The Authors. Published for AMER & cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v8i24.4654
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.