THE IMPACT OF READING SHORT STORIES ON JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EFL LEARNERS’ READING SKILLS IN BIRJAND

This study aims to evaluate the impacts of reading short stories on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ reading skill. A huge number of articles were written about short stories and juvenile learners, but this work concentrates on pupils at junior high school of Birjand, Iran. Therefore, a sample consisting of 40 students were chosen randomly among junior EFL learners of Birjand. The students were divided to experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. Furthermore, the data of the study was collected within almost one semester period (about four months) and t-test was used in analysing the data. The control group was taught through the school’s regular procedure. By contrast, experimental category members were required to read a short story as an assignment in each of classes during one semester .Then, both groups were given a multiple choice exam. Finally, the results of the test and statistical analysis demonstrated the overriding role of simplified short stories in promoting the participantsʹ reading skill. The findings of this study can be beneficial for teachers who want to add some complementary tasks for improving their students’ reading skill.