The Impact of Scaffolding Strategies in Enhancing Reading Comprehension Skills of University Students in a Saudi Context

Abstract

Based on a mixed method research design, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of applying scaffolding strategies in enhancing reading comprehension skills of female students at King Abdulaziz University in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The participants of the study were thirty-three female students at the preparatory year program (PYP) who were registered at the proficiency level 104 (B1/Threshold level on the Common European Framework of reference for language; CEFR). They were divided into two groups: Seventeen students in the control group and sixteen students in the experimental group. Both groups were exposed to the same reading lessons but with the experimental group exposed to scaffolding strategies. Prior to the treatment, a pretest was administered to both groups. Once the treatment was accomplished, a posttest was administered to investigate the effect of applying scaffolding strategies on developing reading comprehension skills. Furthermore, qualitative data was collected via open-ended questionnaire. The results of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest of the experimental group in favor of the posttest. Furthermore, students showed a positive attitude to the scaffolding technique as a motivation factor to their learning. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are given at the end of this study.