Slide 1 : 1 Preparing Students for
Reading Comprehension Tests
An Action Research Project Proposal
Dr. Nellie Deutsch
University of Phoenix
2005
Action Research Project Proposal : 2 Action Research Project Proposal The Problem Statement
Grade nine EFL students lack the skills to cope with reading comprehension tests.
Action Research Project Proposal : 3 Action Research Project Proposal Purpose
Determine the causes
Build a workable curriculum program
Provide students with test taking techniques
Improve student scores
Action Research Project Proposal : 4 Action Research Project Proposal Background Description
Population
Work Setting
Writer’s Role
Action Research Project Proposal : 5 Action Research Project Proposal Problem Documentation
Two Surveys
Online Questionnaires
Students
Parents
Teachers
Offline Questionnaires
Students
Action Research Project Proposal : 6 Action Research Project Proposal Survey Results
(Before Intervention)
QuestionPro Online Survey Program
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/ShowResults?id=161974
Action Research Project Proposal : 7 Action Research Project Proposal Students: What thoughts do you have during the test?
Action Research Project Proposal : 8 Action Research Project Proposal Teachers: ESL/EFL students are anxious during
reading comprehension tests in English.
Action Research Project Proposal : 9 Teachers: ____ of my ESL/EFL students are/were anxious during reading comprehension tests. Action Research Project Proposal
Action Research Project Proposal : 10 Action Research Project Proposal Parents: My daughter/son gets anxious when there
is reading comprehension test in school.
Action Research Project Proposal : 11 Action Research Project Proposal Parents: Reading strategies would improve reading
comprehension in English.
Action Research Project Proposal : 12 Teachers: ESL/EFL students would benefit from
relaxation exercises before reading comprehension
tests. Action Research Project Proposal
Action Research Project Proposal : 13 Action Research Project Proposal Literature Review
Brief summary
Problem
Solution
Action Research Project Proposal : 14 Action Research Project Proposal Solution Strategy
Reading Comprehension Test Taking Skills
12 Week Curriculum Program:
Reading Strategies
Test Taking and Relaxation Techniques
Action Research Project Proposal : 15 Action Research Project Proposal Reading Strategies
General Layout
Paragraph: Introduction, body and conclusion
Type of writing: letter, report, description, persuasion…
Skimming and scanning: Numbers, capital letters
Action Research Project Proposal : 16 Action Research Project Proposal Test Taking Techniques
Relaxation Exercises
Mindfulness: Present
Breathing: Counting to 10
Color Visualization and Chakras
Self-talk: Positive affirmations
Time
Organization
Action Research Project Proposal : 17 Action Research Project Proposal Results
Student scores before and after the 12-week implementation
Action Research Project Proposal : 18 Action Research Project Proposal Audience Feedback
Questions
Comments
Action Research Project Proposal : 19 Action Research Project Proposal Recommendations
Needs Assessment Survey
Questionnaire on test taking anxiety
Questionnaire on reading strategies
Action research project
Comparison of grades before and after test taking and reading strategies curriculum program
Action Research Project Proposal : 20 Action Research Project Proposal Thank You !