The Role of Metacognitive Activities on University Level Preparatory Class EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of metacognitive activities on university level preparatory class EFL learners' reading comprehension. The research was conducted in one of the foundation universities in Ankara, Turkey in the fall term of 2015-2016 academic year. It was designed as an action research study to improve the efficiency of reading lessons in the institution, and two existing B level prep classes were taken as experimental (n:19) and control groups (n:14). In both groups, related vocabulary was introduced prior to giving multiple choice reading test consisting of ten questions, but in the experimental group the learners were also exposed to metacognitive strategies (Socratic circle and shape shifting) as pre-reading activities. Then, an interview study was conducted with 3 randomly selected students from the experimental group to learn how they felt during these activities. The data collected from the reading comprehension text was analyzed statistically and the results showed that the experimental group students slightly outperformed the control group students. This research concludes that significant results can be attained if metacognitive strategies as pre-reading activities are integrated more frequently into reading lessons. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd