A Study of Students’ Reading Interests in a Second Language

Abstract

Reading interests is important in enhancing students' success in school and out of it. Hence, students need to have high reading interests. The purposes of this study were to identify students' reading interests in reading second language materials and to examine the differences in students' reading interests based on genders. This study was carried out among 86 Form Four students in Kuala Terengganu with simple random sampling using an6-item questionnaire adapted and adopted from Marrero (2009). Data were analysed as well as presented in the form of frequency, means, standard deviation and independent t - test. From this study, it is found that students have relatively low interests in reading English materials and that there is a significant difference between male and female students. From these findings, it can be suggested that stakeholders should take action with regards to developing and enhancing male students' reading interests. It is hoped that the finding of this study would enlighten the relevant literature of the area. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]