The Effect of Using Reading Skill Builder Software on Iranian EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension

With the development of computers, there has been a growing interest in using these devices in learning process and understanding how they would affect the educational outcome. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a computer software, namely, Reading Skill Builder, on Iranian EFL learners’ reading comprehension. To achieve the intended purpose, 30 intermediate-level EFL learners from a language institute in Shahrekord, Iran who were selected randomly participated in this study. First, a standardized test was administered to ensure the participants were homogeneous in terms of language proficiency and they were divided to two groups: experimental and control. A pre-test and a post-test were then used to ascertain whether the intended software could improve reading the participants’ comprehension in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The data obtained from the groups were analyzed through Mann-Whitney U Test. The results revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the posttest which was administered after the treatment phase. The implications are significant for teachers and curriculum developers in that they are encouraged to use appropriate computer softwares in order to enhance the quality of the EFL learners’ learning process.

Keywords:

Reading comprehension , Computer software , Reading Skill Builder , EFL learners