Investigating Students ‘Motivation in Reading English Literary Texts

Abstract

The present study is meant to explore the current reality in reading English literary texts mainly with children as it is the case of English in middle school. The study took place in some Algerian middle schools namely (Elalfi Ahmed, Boualga Abd-el-Kader, Rayah Nacer, and Djbara Elhadj) at Frenda in Tiaret. The sample of the study was fourth year middle school pupils 43 and Five English middle school teachers. The purpose of this study is to enhancing students’ motivation in reading English literary texts. In this case study two research instruments were used: a questionnaire for 4th year middle school learners and a structured interview for teachers. The collected data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results obtained showed that learners were aware about their lack of reading and they are not motivated to read English literary texts. Hence, a number of suggestions and recommendations were put forward to enhance their motivation as the selection of engaging literary texts and topics, use of new technologies to read and practice reading activities.