Effectiveness of Reader's Digest worksheets in improving reading skills: a case study on MUET taking students / Wan Zumusni Wan Mustapha, Norhaiyati Abd. Muin and Wan Aida Wan Hasan

Reading, which is a receptive skill, does not come easy to learners of a second language, yet by mastering the skill of reading, learners are able to excel in their academic pursuit. In short, reading is just an important as the other language learning skills - listening, speaking and writing. This research is an attempt to provide an insight into the effectiveness of the use of a magazine, Reader's Digest in preparing students for Malaysian University English Test or MUET. Reader's Digest is chosen for its varied content which can motivate and inspire the students. The level of English Language is also challenging for most of the students. Using various measurements namely survey, experimental research and in-depth interviews with the teachers and worksheets designer of the Reader's Digest Reading Program, this study focuses on the use of Reader's Digest and its worksheets in English Language classrooms as supplementary material to improve student's reading skills. It can be concluded that if consistently used with involvement from the educators, Reader's Digest especially the worksheets can help the students to improve their English especially their reading and also vocabulary even though students are encouraged to read the magazine and do the worksheets on their own. So far, the Reader's Digest Reading Program has not been implemented in UiTM Kelantan although it has been implemented in many educational institutions including schools in Klang Valley and other states on the central and southern regions of Peninsula Malaysia. This finding also shows that teachers need to ensure not only opportunities exist in their lessons for the introduction of useful articles as found in Reader's Digest but that students have opportunities to practice meaningful use of new vocabulary through various activities. Hence, the importances of creating a reading program to cultivate a reading culture at higher education institutions can prepare students not only to do well in MUET but help them to excel in their academic pursuit. After all, having knowledge on wide issues in English Language can be an asset for them.