The influence of content schemata on ESL learners’ comprehension of ‘The Hunted Fox’ and ‘The Breakup’: ODL experience / Amizura Hanadi Mohd Radzi and Amiza Hazni Mohd Radzi

The role of content schemata in influencing learners’ understanding of reading texts is crucial. This qualitative case study which involved 11 participants was conducted to explore how content schemata contribute to the learners’ comprehension, to explore factors that contribute to the learners’ understanding, and factors that hinder the process of understanding 2 short stories, i.e., ‘The Hunted Fox’ and ‘The Breakup’. This study is guided by Schema Theory and Reader-response Theory. Data were gathered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) class activities and written response in-depth interviews via Google Form. Both data were cross analyzed for patterns. The findings demonstrated clear indication of the role of content schemata in aiding learners’ comprehension of the texts. Learners’ comprehension of reading texts can be significantly hindered without sufficient background knowledge of the context of the texts. Language instructors as well as material writers can benefit from the findings of this study in selecting suitable reading materials which are within the learners’ content schemata for teaching and learning purposes.