Abstract:

The development of good reading habits makes a vital contribution to “developing reading performance” (Phichiensathien, 2021, p.307), is key in the development of the individual’s capacity to study (Wang et al., 2020) and is therefore an important foundation for academic success (Anderson, 2012; Bhattachaijee & Khound, 2020). As well as being identified as important for general academic progress, good reading habits are seen as an essential pre-requisite of language learners studying in a language that is not their mother tongue (Chaudhary, 2020, p.79). However, despite the vital role of developing good reading habits, an aversion to reading has long been reported amongst those who need to read in a second or foreign language (Campbell & Shaw, 1994; Rajab et al., 2015).

While research into reading habits has been widespread (Dewan, 2013; Hamdiah & Yusoff, 2021), the ages which are surveyed tend to be young and narrowly defined, since most research is conducted with participants of school age (Clark, 2016; Li, 2016; Merga, 2018). While reading research has also been conducted with older participants, given the considerable diversity of backgrounds and ages, as well as the particular needs of students who attend Open Universities, investigation of their reading habits is an important step in ensuring the courses offered at these institutions can cater for their circumstances.

Adopting a critical realist approach, the proposed study aims to investigate the reading habits of a group of new undergraduates studying an English program at an Open University. Using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire, the study seeks to create a baseline which establishes what the students read, how often they read, why they read, how they feel about reading and any factors which contribute to their reading habits. With this information established, the course developers hope to then incorporate teaching and learning innovation that will ensure that the “significant challenge” of adapting reading habits (Phillips & Compton, 2016) can be achieved early.

Keywords:

Reading habits, Open universities, diversity, adult learners.