CHAN NARITH KEUK (ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF PHNOM PENH/INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES)
MAB TITH (Institute of Foreign Languages)

AN INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING READING TO EFL LEARNERS: CLASSROOM RESEARCH OF K-W-L-S STRATEGY : INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN ELT RESEARCH

K-W-L, an acronym for “Know-Want to know-Learned,” is an effective strategy to activate learners' prior knowledge, arouse their curiosity and interest, and engage them in a reading process (Tieney & Readence, 2000). K-W-L strategy is based on the principles of input and output (Harmer, 2015), scaffolding (Brown, 2007), and top-down processing (Harmer, 2015). While K-W-L improves learners' language fluency, it should also enhance learners' language accuracy. Thus, incorporating Harmer's (2015) patchwork procedure for teaching and learning (i.e., engage, activate, and study) and the principles of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), the K-W-L reading lessons should have a space for enhancing EFL learners' accuracy in the English language. The strategy has, therefore, been transformed into the Know-Want to know-Learned-Study (K-W-L-S) strategy. This paper presents classroom research implementing a K-W-L-S method to teach reading to 20-30 adult learners in a general English language classroom at one tertiary ELT institution in Cambodia. The data was collected by using multiple methods, such as reading motivation checklist, diary reflection writing, and semi-structured interviews. The analysis reveals that the K-W-L-S enhances EFL learners' reading proficiency, motivation, engagement, and English language accuracy.

Prof. Chan Narith Keuk is head of the Department of English of the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia. He obtained his PhD in Linguistics from Macquarie University, Australia, in 2015. His research interests include the variety of English used in contemporary Cambodia, the study of English language teachers and English language teaching education in an EFL context, ELT teacher research, teacher reflective practice, and blended learning.

Mr. Tith Mab is the Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL) Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). He received his MEd in Teaching Studies in 1999 from the University of Sydney, Australia and a Higher Graduate Diploma in Higher Education Management from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in 2002.