Fataneh Shahmohammadi - Department of English, Tuyserkan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tuyserkan, Iran
Masoud Hashemi - Department of English, Tuyserkan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tuyserkan, Iran
Masoud Azizinezhad - Department of English, Tuyserkan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tuyserkan, Iran

The present study was an attempt to investigate the comparative effects of Kurd and Persian ethnicity on enhancing Iranian EFL learners reading comprehension performance through the use of language learning strategies. To perform this, 140 EFL learners studying English in Kaj Language Institute (Persian learners) in Tehran and Shokouh Language Institute (Kurd learners) Sanandej were selected. They took Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT) and 80 intermediate-levels were non-randomly assigned into two classes (i.e., Kurd and Persian learners). Then, both groups were given a reading pretest before the treatments sessions to determine the participants reading ability. During the treatment, both groups were taught eight passages of American English file 3 through the use of language learning strategies. Having finished the treatments, the learners in the both groups were given the reading posttest. Data were analyzed through Independent Samples t-test to compare the means of the pre and posttests of both groups. The findings revealed that belonging to Kurd and persian ethnicity did have statistically significant effect on improving EFL learners reading ability through the use of language learning strategies. Moreover, there was significant difference between Kurd and Persian ethnicity in improving reading ability of the learners through the use of the strategies.

ethnicity, learning strategies, reading comprehension