An investigation of the Effects of Oral Reading Fluency on the Comprehension of Iraqi Learners at the University Level

Abstract

Extensive research on reading in English as a first language has shown the critical role fluency plays in successful text comprehension. Most research indicate that good reading ability is virtually impossible in the absence of fast and accurate word recognition skills and reading fluency. Contrary to the increasingly important role reading fluency has been given in English L1 settings, it has attracted scant attention in L2 and FL settings because it is expected to grow naturally as reading skills develop. Some preliminary studies on reading fluency in L2 or FL contexts have directed the attention of researchers and educators to the issue of whether reading fluency plays a crucial role in successful text comprehension. This study deals with the comparative relationship between students' abilities in oral reading fluency (ORF)and their comprehension of text. It deals with a serious problem facing students of English at the university level in Iraq. It is a common observation that these students are slow readers. This, in fact, has a very negative effect on their academic achievement. It is a stumbling block in the way of doing their assignments and performing their academic tasks. It also deals with the development of the reading ability at the first three stages at the university level.