Lack of Reading Motivation in the Algerian EFL Classrooms: The case of First Year Master ELT Students at Tlemcen University

Abstract

Students at university are required to read in order to fulfill academic activities and acquire knowledge. However, reading frequency varies from one student to another depending on some factors. The major one is motivation since it is the impulse that leads them to effective reading. Therefore, the present work is an investigation to highlight the lack of reading motivation in EFL classrooms. For this purpose, a case study of first year ELT Master’s students in the English Department of Tlemcen University was conducted. It was based on the use of a students’ questionnaire and teachers’ interview. To analyze the data, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. The results obtained showed that students under investigation were aware about their lack of reading and they are not motivated to read English texts. Hence, a number of suggestions and recommendations were put forward to enhance their motivation as the integration of the reading skill as an independent module and also the use of new technologies to read and practice reading activities.