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Published on: September 27, 2020
Reading self-concept and Arab-American students: a three-year study
Haitham M Alkhateeb1, Eiman F Abushihab
1Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA. halkhateeb@uindy.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|May 8, 2008
Summary
Arab-American students demonstrated higher reading self-concept in English than in Arabic, despite strong correlations between both measures. This highlights potential needs for tailored reading programs.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Bilingual Education
- Sociolinguistics
Background:
- Arab-American students in the USA face unique educational contexts.
- Understanding students' self-perception in reading is crucial for academic success.
- Bilingualism can influence cognitive and academic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reading self-concept of Arab-American students in English versus Arabic.
- To explore the relationship between English and Arabic reading self-concept in this population.
- To identify potential factors influencing reading self-concept, such as gender and cultural background.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year study involving 110 Arab-American students (9-12 years old).
- Utilized a translated self-report questionnaire (Reading Self-concept scale) in both English and Arabic.
- Administered the questionnaire to assess students' perceptions of their reading abilities.
Main Results:
- Students reported significantly higher reading self-concept on the English version compared to the Arabic version.
- A strong positive correlation was found between English and Arabic reading self-concept scores.
- Boys may benefit from specific reading program interventions.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a potential divergence in reading self-concept based on language of assessment.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering language and cultural factors in educational interventions.
- Further research into parental education and expectations, and the role of the Quran, is warranted.
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