The Influence of Online Reading on Students Literary Practices.

Abstract

Almost everyone nowadays knows the internet and its extremely useful application in all fields of life. As the internet is based on written language, it requires developed reading skills to be surfed through. Reading is perceived as a very complex skill due to the complexity of acquiring it. Many students, either reading a hypertext or a linear text, still face reading comprehension problems. The development of internet fosters the development of reading skills and emphasizes their importance. To address this issue, the current research has been initiated to raise learners’ awareness about online reading and its influence on their literary traditions. The hypothesis states that online reading processes would effectively enhance students’ ways of approaching literary texts. To test this hypothesis two questionnaires were administered; one for teachers and the other for students. The former was given to know the teachers’ opinions about the use of online reading and whether they raise their learner’s awareness about its strategies and skills. The latter was handed out to know if students implement online reading. The data gathered to demonstrate that third year English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in Mila university center have a positive perception about online reading. From the results, the research proves that more attention should be given to online reading and its strategies and skills in the classroom. This modest study can provide a platform for future implementation of online reading environments in Mila university center; it predicts the readiness of the third year EFL students to receive instruction in online reading strategies.