VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF POST – GRADUATE STUDIES HỒ THỊ XUÂN HỒNG

A SURVEY ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH READING
SKILLS TO THE FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN MIXED
ABILITY CLASSES AT VIETNAM FORESTRY
UNIVERSITY

(KHẢO SÁT VỀ THỰC TRẠNG DẠY KỸ NĂNG ĐỌC HIỂU CHO
SINH VIÊN NĂM THỨ NHẤT TRONG CÁC LỚP HỌC CÓ TRÌNH
ĐỘ KHÔNG ĐỒNG ĐỀU TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC LÂM NGHIỆP
VIỆT NAM)

M.A Minor programme thesis
Field: English teaching methodology
Field: English teaching methodology
Code: 60 14 10
Supervisor: Lâm Thị Phúc Hân, MA

HANOI, 2010 iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Retention and use of the thesis i
Acknowledgements ii
Abstract iii
Table of contents iv
List of abbreviations vii
List of tables and charts viii
PART A: INTRODUCTION 1
1 Rationale 1
2. Aims of the study 2
3 Scope of the study 2
4. Method of the study 2
5. Significance of the study 2
6. Organization of the study 3
PART B: DEVELOPMENT 4
CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 4
1.1. Theory of reading in second language teaching and learning 4
1.1.1. Definition of reading comprehension 4
1.1.2. Models of reading process 5

3.1.1. Students’ and teachers’ attitudes toward learning and teaching English reading skills 18
3.1.2. Difficulties in teaching reading texts 20
3.1.3. Techniques in teaching reading texts 22
3.1.4. Ways of classroom management 26
3.2. Summary of main findings 28
3.2.1. Advantages of teaching English reading skills to the first year students in mixed
ability classes at VFU 28
3.2.2. Disadvantages of teaching English reading skills to the first year students in mixed
ability classes at VFU 29
CHAPTER 4: IMPLICATIONS 31
4.1. Improving students’ participation in classroom activities 31
4.1.1. Having a good understanding of individual students 31
4.1.2. Clarifying learning goals to the students 31 vi
4.1.3. Making use of pair/ group work 32
4.1.4. Changing the roles while teaching 33
4.1.5. Making use of modern technology in teaching 34
4.2. Improving teaching techniques 34
4.2.1. Adjusting teaching time and efforts 35
4.2.2. Varying strategies in three stages of reading lessons 35
4.2.2.1. Before reading 35
4.2.2.2. While reading 36
4.2.2.3. After reading 38
PART C: CONCLUSION 40
1. Summary of the study 40
2. Limitations of the study 41
3. Suggestions for further study 41
REFERENCES 42



1
PART A: INTRODUCTION
1 Rationale
Like in any other countries, in the process of integrating into regional and international
economic and diplomatic development, English is now a compulsory subject in every
school in Vietnam. Both teachers and learners seem to pay greater attention to the teaching
and learning of this language. The ultimate aim is the ability to use it for communicative
purposes. To obtain this aim, however, is not an easy task because students should be able
to acquire four skills of listening, speaking, writing and reading in addition to English
grammar, pronunciation, etc. Among these areas, reading skills play an indispensable and
inseparable part in the process of teaching and learning English as it helps students enrich

classes at VFU?
These objectives will be achieved by finding the answers to the three following questions:
(1). What are the advantages of teaching English reading skills to the first year students in
mixed ability classes at VFU?
(2) What are the disadvantages of teaching English reading skills to the first year students
in mixed ability classes at VFU?
(3) What should be done to make use of the advantages and overcome the disadvantages of
teaching English reading skills to the first year students in mixed ability classes at VFU?
3 Scope of the study
The study investigates the current situation of the teaching of English reading skills to the
1
st
year students in MAC at Vietnam Forestry University.
4. Method of the study
To achieve the aims mentioned above, the quantitative approach which involves survey
questionnaires is employed to collect data for the study. The survey questionnaires are
administered to both teachers and students. The results obtained from the teachers will be
compared with those from the students for more reliable data.
5. Significance of the study
This study can, hopefully, be useful for the teachers and students in VFU as well the
researchers who have interest in this field. Once successfully completed, the study will
manage to provide a picture of teaching English reading skills to the first year VFU
students. Through the findings of the study, some suggestions will be given with a hope to
take the advantages of the strengths and overcome the weaknesses to help the first year
students in VFU improve their reading skills. Furthermore, this study can offer various and 3
useful references for further studies. It can also be an idea that attracts other researchers to
go further.