Short-story-based explicit strategy instruction package (strategy presentations, in-class examples, and student products)¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · 3 claims (3 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

An instructional package combining researcher-developed strategy presentations with English short story books. The presentations covered "the definition of strategies, where and how to utilize them, their benefits, key features, and effectiveness," were piloted over eight weeks with 25 A2-level students, and were used unchanged in the main study. After each strategy was presented and discussed with in-class examples, students read The Olympic Promise (A2) and Black Beauty (B1), implemented the strategies in class, and displayed their student products.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Presentations were developed with expert opinions and proofread by a native English speaker
• piloting confirmed the materials were clear and understandable at students' comprehension level

Constraints¶

• The short story books used were limited to A2/B1 levels, and the implementation focused on four strategies

Target Learners¶

• EFL preparatory students at CEFR A2 to B1 levels

Target Learning Goals¶

• L2 reading comprehension via questioning, visualization, making connections, and summarizing

Claims¶

• Explicit instruction of four reading comprehension strategies with short stories yields higher reading comprehension post-test scores than regular syllabus instruction in EFL preparatory students [+W]
• Teacher modeling with worked examples helped EFL students internalize reading comprehension strategies [+W]
• All experimental group EFL students expressed positive perspectives on explicit instruction of reading comprehension strategies [+W]

Related Elements¶

• Structured pedagogy package: student books, teachers' guides, and teacher professional development

Examples¶

• Offer high-interest text alternatives and choice alongside short stories to sustain engagement during strategy instruction

Key Sources¶

• Üstündağ-Algın, P. (2025). Explicit Instruction of Reading Comprehension Strategies Using Short Stories with EFL Students. MEXTESOL Journal, 49(4). https://www.mextesol.net/journal/