A study of the effectiveness of readers theater technique as compared to silent reading and read-aloud techniques for teaching reading comprehension skills among the ESL learners in Sk Sira Krian, Padawan, Kuching / Thomas Regus

The use of drama techniques especially Readers Theater to motivate the learners reading interest and for enhancing reading and comprehension skills is seldom practised in elementary ESL classroom in the rural districts. This study attempts to determine the effectiveness of Readers Theater technique in enhancing comprehension skills as compared to the conventional Silent Reading and Read-Aloud strategies. It is done by conducting a comparative study on a group of twenty five Level Four elementary pupils of SK Sira Krian Kuching Six sets of comprehension test were administered. Three sets were used to compare the effectiveness of Readers Theater technique with that of Silent Reading technique.. Each of the three sets of test is made up of two test papers. Silent Reading based comprehension test and Readers Theater based comprehension test. The other three sets were used to compare the effectiveness of Read technique with that of Read-Aloud technique. Each set is made up of two test papers. Readers Theater based comprehension test and Read-Aloud based comprehension tests. The analysis of the study shows that the Readers Theater technique is very effective for motivation, enhancement of the reading skills and the development of language fluency among the elementary ESL learners. Silent Reading and Read-Aloud techniques are not as effective compare to Readers Theater technique.