The Relationship Between Leisure Reading Habits, Vocabulary and Writing of English Language Learners (ELLs)

Abstract

Numerous studies have highlighted the influence of leisure reading habits on second language proficiency. The present study investigates the relationship between students' reading habits, vocabulary and writing performance. A reading survey, productive vocabulary test and writing test were administered to 33 university English language learners (ELLs) students in Malaysia. The results indicate that participants had not received a lot of support for reading from their English teachers at elementary schools or at secondary level and had limited access to reading resources. The university students in the study were aware of the value of reading in English, albeit spending a considerable amount of time on the Internet compared to reading off-line. More than half of the participants agreed that they would read something if it was recommended by their lecturers. In addition, the present study also found that participants had not acquired the adequate vocabulary size required for tertiary studies. The findings have important implications for English language practitioners both at school and tertiary levels.

Reading Habits and their Correlation with Reading Achievement among ESL Learners in Selected Malaysian Secondary Schools

“…Additionally, despite the importance of reading as receptive language ability and its role in developing ESL learners' language proficiency within and outside the school environment (Azmi, 2010;Lee & Wong, 2017) and as demonstrated in this study, there has been a growing concern among researchers and educationists over students' poor reading habits in Malaysia (Annamalai & Muniandy, 2013;Mansor, 2017). Similarly, the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 highlights the significance of English language proficiency and communication skills (Azman 2016;Petrus and Shah, 2020).…”

“…According to the National Reading Panel (2000), reading habits are important in the development of students' reading abilities, which ultimately, helps them to acquire a holistic education. Despite the significance of reading habits in developing ESL learners' proficiency within and outside the school environment (Azmi, 2013;Balan, Katenga, & Simon, 2019 Lee & Wong, 2017;Mwangi & Bwire, 2020), very few studies focused on how reading habits improves ESL learners' academic performance in the Malaysian context (Lee & Wong, 2017). Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, none of the previous local studies provides correlational evidence that reading habits improve reading achievement itself.…”

“…Besides, a few findings suggested neutral habits towards reading (Fauzi, 2020). In addition, some local studies have highlighted the importance of reading habits (Azmi, 2010;Lee & Wong, 2017), but very few studies examined the association between reading habits and ESL learners' proficiency. For instance, Lee and Wong (2017) ascertained the influence of reading habits on English language proficiency, particularly the development of vocabulary and writing skills.…”

“…In addition, some local studies have highlighted the importance of reading habits (Azmi, 2010;Lee & Wong, 2017), but very few studies examined the association between reading habits and ESL learners' proficiency. For instance, Lee and Wong (2017) ascertained the influence of reading habits on English language proficiency, particularly the development of vocabulary and writing skills. The overall findings showed "a trend towards a relationship between reading habits and vocabulary" (p. 167).…”

Reading Habits and their Correlation with Reading Achievement among ESL Learners in Selected Malaysian Secondary Schools

“…According to the National Reading Panel (2000), reading habits are important in the development of students' reading abilities, which ultimately, helps them to acquire a holistic education. Despite the significance of reading habits in developing ESL learners' proficiency within and outside the school environment (Azmi, 2013;Balan, Katenga, & Simon, 2019 Lee & Wong, 2017;Mwangi & Bwire, 2020), very few studies focused on how reading habits improves ESL learners' academic performance in the Malaysian context (Lee & Wong, 2017). Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, none of the previous local studies provides correlational evidence that reading habits improve reading achievement itself.…”