本研究的目的在探討後設認知閱讀策略在EFL國中生英語閱讀上的效益。尤其是探究此訓練對高、低分組學生後設認知閱讀策略的使用差異，對英語閱讀觀點及理解之影響，以及學生對後設認知閱讀策略訓練所作的回應。 本研究以新竹縣某國中的一個七年級班級30位學生為研究對象，將學生分為高分組及低分組。這些學生接受為期四週的三種後設認知閱讀策略訓練 (分別為文意圖像策略、預測策略、總結策略)在英語閱讀上之運用。 在資料分析上，主要是針對高、低分組在前後實驗，在後設認知閱讀策略使用上的差異作比較及質的分析。高分組及低分組在閱讀理解測驗上的閱讀能力表現也會做量的分析。除此之外，學生們對於後設認知策略訓練所作的回應，予以質的分析。 本研究的主要總結如下： 1. 後設認知閱讀策略訓練能有效提升高分組及低分組兩組在後設認知閱讀策略上的使用。 2. 後設認知閱讀策略訓練有助於改善高分組及低分組的英語閱讀理解，學生們對後設認知閱讀策略訓練在閱讀理解方面的效益，皆抱持肯定的態度，尤其是低分組學生。 3. 後設認知閱讀策略訓練有助於高分組及低分組的學生，尤其是低分組學生，建立更正確的英語閱讀觀念。 4. 大部分的學生對於後設認知閱讀策略訓練的效益皆表示肯定的態度，並且樂於運用這些後設認知閱讀策略於英語閱讀上，且樂於學習新的閱讀策略。 最後，根據實驗的結果提供一些教學上的建議。 / The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of metacognitive reading strategy training (MRST) on junior-high-school students’ EFL reading. Specifically, the differences of metacognitive reading strategy use between HPG and LPG, perceptions of reading, English reading comprehension, and their responses to the metacognitive reading strategy training (MRST) are probed. The participants of this study were thirty junior high school students from one seven-grade class in Shingchu C. The participants were divided into high-proficient group and low-proficient group. These participants received the four-week training (MRST) with three metacognitive reading strategies (semantic mapping, prediction, and summarizing) in reading English texts. In the data collection, the differences between HPG and LPG in metacognitive reading strategy use in the pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared and analyzed qualitatively. Also, HPG and LPG students’ reading performance in reading comprehension tests between the pre-treatment and post-treatment were analyzed quantitatively. In addition, students’ perceptions toward the effects of the MRST were analyzed qualitatively. Based on the data analyses, the findings of the study are summarized as follows: 1. The MRST was effective in enhancing both HPG and LPG readers’ metacognitive awareness of strategy use. 2. The MRST helped improve both HPG and LPG readers’ comprehension in reading English texts, and students, especially LPG, had positive attitude toward the effectiveness of the MRST in improving reading comprehension. 3. The MRST helped both groups of students, especially LPG readers, have more correct perceptions toward English reading. 4. Most of the students exhibited positive attitude toward the effectiveness of the MRST and showed their willingness to apply the learned metacognitive reading strategies as well as to learn new reading strategies in English reading. Finally, some pedagogical implications and suggestions are provided on the basis of the findings in this study.

L’objectif de cette thèse visait à rechercher une explication à l’altération de la mémoire épisodique observée dans les épilepsies partielles pharmaco-résistantes (EPPR). Nous avons inscrit notre contribution explicative dans une double perspective métacognitive et motivationnelle, en émettant l’hypothèse que l’altération mnésique pourrait être due à une altération des processus métacognitifs ou/et à des croyances motivationnelles dysfonctionnelles. Un protocole expérimental, basé sur une tâche de mémorisation de paires de mots, a été utilisé afin de tester l’intégrité des processus métacognitifs en mettant en relation un jugement d’auto-contrôle (jugement d’apprentissage, JOL) et deux mesures d’autorégulation (choix des items et temps alloué à leur apprentissage). L’évaluation de croyances motivationnelles a été effectuée grâce à des questionnaires concourants à la tâche. La présence d’une altération de la mémoire épisodique est confirmée dans l’ensemble des sous-groupes testés [épilepsie du lobe temporal (ELT), d’épilepsie du lobe frontal (ELF) et ELT après chirurgie]. La faible performance mnésique observée chez les sujets souffrant d’épilepsie ne peut pas être expliquée par une altération des jugements d’auto-contrôle (JOL). En effet, les sujets souffrant d’ELT ou d’ELF savent correctement auto-évaluer leur rappel futur. En revanche, l’altération mnésique pourrait s’expliquer par une altération du processus d’auto-régulation, car la stratégie de sélection des paires, observée chez les épileptiques, s’effectue indépendamment de la difficulté objective des paires, des jugements d’auto-contrôle, ou du rappel précédant, contrairement à ce qui est observé chez les sujets sains. Par ailleurs, l’analyse des croyances motivationnelles montre que la valeur du sentiment d’auto-efficacité (SAE) au cours d’une tâche de mémoire est faible chez les épileptiques temporaux qu’ils soient opérés ou non et plus cette estimation est faible plus la performance mnésique est altérée. L’absence de mise en œuvre d’activités d’auto-régulation adaptées pourraient donc être, en partie, due à la présence d’un SAE faible. En effet, ce sentiment joue un rôle médiateur dans l’engagement dans les tâches : si son niveau est bas il est susceptible de produire une diminution des efforts, un manque de persévérance et un abandon de la tâche, et de ce fait d’affecter négativement la performance. Compte tenu de ces résultats, un programme visant à favoriser les performances mnésiques dans l’épilepsie ne devrait pas se centrer prioritairement sur la rééducation des processus métacognitifs mais plutôt sur le renforcement positif du SAE. / This thesis aimed at explaining the impairment of episodic memory observed in partial drug-resistant epilepsies. We intended to determine to what extent these difficulties could be related to metamemory impairment and/or to dysfunctional self-beliefs. We employed an experimental design based on a paired-associated learning task in order to test the integrity of monitoring and control processes. These processes were assessed on the basis of judgment of learning (JOLs), item selection and study-time allocation. Also, motivational self-beliefs (self-efficacy and causal attributions) were assessed by questionnaires based on the memory task. Results revealed a clear deficit of episodic memory in all groups of patients compared with controls [temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and TLE after surgery]. Memory impairment cannot be explained by a deficit in the monitoring process: TLE and FLE patients are able to accurately predict their future recall. By contrast, the deficit of memory might be due to an impairment of control processes: contrary to what we observed among healthy group, item selection strategy used by epileptic patients is not linked to the item objective difficulty, to judgments of learning, nor to the initial recall. Also, in the case of TLE (before and after surgery), the analysis of self-beliefs evidences low self-efficacy estimations during the memory task ; the lower the evaluation, the more impaired is the performance of recall. Thus, the lack of well adapted activities of control may be due to this feeling. Self-efficacy belief can act as a mediator in the carrying out of learning activities: if its level is low, it may well induce a decrease of efforts, a lack of perseverance and the giving up of the task. Given these results a program aiming at improving the memory performance in epilepsy should not be focused in priority on the reeducation of metacognitive processes but rather on a positive reinforcement of self-efficacy beliefs.

This study investigated whether metacognitive skills training would have any effect on the comprehension of southeastern, urban students in a high school compensatory reading laboratory. The pre-experimental one-group design was used for subjects in an eighth and a ninth grade class. Instruments used in data collection for pretest/posttest analysis were the Metacomprehension Strategy Index and the Plasment Reading Achievement Lab Test. The t test for dependent samples was used to analyze the data and test two of the null hypotheses. A third instrument was a checklist which was field-tested by reading specialists and students of similar demographic characteristics as the subjects. A percentage score was used to analyze the subjects' perception of their training. The treatment intervention consisted of reciprocal teaching of the following multiple comprehension monitoring strategies for ten weeks: previewing/purpose setting, visual imaging, self-questioning, summary sentences, predicting/verifying, fix-up techniques. The following significant findings of the study were these: 1. There was a significant difference between eighth and ninth graders' pretest and posttest scores in metacognitive awareness after instructional intervention as measured by the MSI. 2. There was a significant difference between pretest and posttest reading comprehension scores of eighth grade students after ten weeks of training in comprehension monitoring. 3. There was a positive change of 3/10 gain by ninth grade students in reading comprehension though not statistically significant. Only 1/10 gain was expected by the district after on~ month of instruction. 4. Positive percentage scores of 100 by both the eighth and ninth grade\ students indicated that they perceived comprehensioning monitoring as effective in improving their reading skills. The major conclusions that resulted from the findings were as follows: 1. Metacognitive skills training was effective in developing metacognitive awareness of eighth and ninth grade students. 2. Metacognitive skills training using the reciprocal teaching approach in teaching reading comprehension monitoring strategies was effective. 3. Based on the students' response, they perceived the self-monitoring strategies as useful in approaching reading tasks.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-10-18T16:57:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - ?rica Cozandey de Lucas.pdf: 942924 bytes, checksum: fe2c5beb4b8f1eed78eb1d4e4e34df9f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-18T16:57:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - ?rica Cozandey de Lucas.pdf: 942924 bytes, checksum: fe2c5beb4b8f1eed78eb1d4e4e34df9f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-22 / In the dynamic process of the construction of meaning, the understanding of text is achieved from a reflective and deliberate posture of the reader by using different strategies to understand the information in the text and integrating it into a coherent context. This research seeks to highlight the role of metacognitive strategies in reading comprehension enhancement through an educational intervention based on the use of headlines. It focuses the attention to the most relevant information set out in the text, and refers to the reflective activities before, during and after the reading of a text. Consequently, it brings up discussion about the relationship between text comprehension and metacognition. To do this, follow theoretical basis, a global aspect, studies of Baker and Brown (1984), in the sense that these authors state that to be understanding in the act of reading there is a need for metacognition reading process. After the implementation of activities was found from the results that working text using metacognitive strategies helps in the process of making more autonomous player in the reading comprehension process. And the suggestions presented in this research are actions that can enrich teaching practice in regard to the teaching of reading as well as contribute to new thinking on how to be taught to understand a text. / A compreens?o de um texto, por ser um processo din?mico de constru??o de sentidos, se d? a partir de uma postura reflexiva e deliberada do leitor, que precisa fazer uso de diferentes estrat?gias para entender as informa??es expl?citas no texto e inferir outras, al?m de integr?-las num todo coerente. Esta pesquisa procura evidenciar o papel das estrat?gias metacognitivas na potencializa??o da aprendizagem de leitura, atrav?s de uma media??o did?tica baseada no uso das manchetes exercendo o papel de ativa??o da aten??o diante das informa??es mais relevantes que ser?o expostas no texto, somadas a atividades reflexivas para antes, durante e/ou ap?s a leitura de um texto. Como consequ?ncia, vem discutir a rela??o entre compreens?o de textos e metacogni??o, mostrando ser poss?vel aperfei?oar o processamento da leitura e promover a compreens?o por meio da utiliza??o de estrat?gias metacognitivas de aprendizagem. Para tal, o embasamento te?rico seguir?, num aspecto global, os estudos de Baker e Brown (1984), que afirmam que para haver compreens?o no ato de ler h? a necessidade de um metaconhecimento do processo de leitura. Ap?s a aplica??o das atividades, verificou-se, atrav?s dos resultados alcan?ados, que trabalhar o texto usando estrat?gias metacognitivas auxilia no processo de tornar o leitor mais aut?nomo no processo de leitura compreensiva. E que as sugest?es apresentadas nesta pesquisa s?o a??es que podem tanto enriquecer a pr?tica pedag?gica no que tange ao ensino de leitura como tamb?m contribuir para novas reflex?es sobre o modo como se deve ensinar a compreender um texto.

Reading strategies are consciously controlled actions learners execute in order to aid comprehension. The effectiveness of strategies is increased with metacognitive awareness. Researchers have created instruments to raise metacognitive awareness targeted for native and highly proficient L2 readers. This article outlines the creation of a new survey, the Contextualized Inventory of Metacognitive Awareness for novice to low-intermediate L2 readers. Unlike other instruments, this survey contextualizes pre-, during-, and post-reading strategy deployment with the use of simplified, narrative reading passages. The survey was piloted at an Intensive English Program with 88 subjects. The overall readability of the survey had a Lexile score of 350L and a Coh-Metrix score of 35. The initial reliability of the survey was .69. Pedagogical uses and academic implications of the new survey are discussed.

Teachers in Lebanese schools are still using outdated traditional strategies for instructing students with learning disabilities (LD). The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand Lebanese elementary teachers' perceived barriers to providing effective metacognition skills instruction and increase the understanding of how teachers are supporting students with LD to use metacognitive strategies to enhance their own learning. The conceptual framework used to ground the study was Flavell's metacognitive theory. The purposeful sample included 12 elementary special and regular education teachers selected from 6 different Lebanese schools in 5 areas in Lebanon. Each teacher participated in a semistructed interview and was observed while teaching in the classroom. Coding and thematic inductive approaches based on elements of the conceptual framework were used to analyze the data. Peer debriefing, member checking, and triangulation by region were used to ensure credibility and trustworthiness. The findings revealed that teachers were knowledgeable about how to teach metacognitive skills, but they were not explicitly instructing those skills to students with LD. Among the reported barriers to teaching these skills included lack of time, perceived nature of the LD students' disability, and cultural expectations. The findings were used to provide recommendations for Lebanese teachers to implement in day-to-day instruction for students with LD and for school leaders to build teachers' capacity to engage LD students in constructing their own learning. This study may affect positive social change by promoting instruction of metacognitive strategies for students with LD to help them build lifelong 21st century skills.

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of using metacognitive strategies embedded in explicit&ndash / reflective NOS instruction to improve NOS understanding of pre-service science teachers. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) (Schraw &amp / Dennison, 1994) and Views of Nature of Science Questionnaire (VNOS-C) (Lederman et al., 2001) were used both at the beginning and at the end of the study as a pre-test&ndash / post-test, comparison group, quasi-experimental design. A total of 33 pre-service science teachers (PSTs), 24 were female and 9 were male agreed to join the study voluntarily. These students were selected for this study while they were enrolling at their 5th semester in which they attended Methods of Teaching Science I course offered by the faculty of education at Middle East Technical University. Participants were divided into two groups namely comparison and intervention group. Explicit reflective NOS instruction was used in both groups, but metacognitive strategies additionally used in intervention group. Data analysis demonstrated that explicit reflective NOS instruction enhanced the development of understanding of NOS in both groups. Results also showed that metacognitive strategies improved the metacognitive awareness of intervention group participants. Although four of these metacognitive strategies and explicit reflective NOS instruction in present study provided a substantial increase in NOS understandings of PSTs in intervention group, chi-square analysis showed statistically no significant difference between comparison and intervention group participants&rsquo / post-test results.

This project examined whether the executive functions of set maintenance and switching, as assessed by neuropsychological testing, were predictors of set maintenance and switching within a more ecologically valid task that used metacognitive strategies during reading comprehension tasks as a framework for evaluation. Gaze times to key words during reading were used as an indirect measure of strategy use. A few significant relationships were found between set maintenance and set switching on the neuropsychological measures and the strategy learning and application tasks. Participants were more likely to switch to appropriate strategies in a situation in which they were given free choice of strategies to use, and in which characteristics of the text pulled for the use of a particular strategy. In contrast, participants were less consistent with expected strategy use when they had just learned a strategy and were asked explicitly to apply it to a text that did not pull for use of a particular strategy. Factors such as visual scanning, motor speed, working memory, and passage comprehension affected the relationship between executive functions and the more ecologically valid task.

As fundamental components of a language, words are essential for successful language learning. Vocabulary learning strategies thus become a vital important field to be focused on. This investigation is based on the framework of O' Malley and Chamot' s (1990) taxonomy about language learning strategies, which include metacognitive strategies, cognitive strategies, and social/affective strategies. This study aims at studying the relationship between students' attitudes toward vocabulary learning, their vocabulary learning strategies and their vocabulary level. The participants of this study are fifty English majors from a university in China. A vocabulary test and a questionnaire are used so as to collect data from the investigated students. Finally, this study generates the following results: (1) the students hold a neutral attitude toward vocabulary learning, and they believe vocabulary learning sometimes is interesting, but sometimes not; (2) the students adopt all the three strategies, but cognitive strategies are most frequently used; (3) the correlation analysis shows that there is a significant relationship between the students' attitudes and their strategy use, the strategy use and their vocabulary level; (4) the successful learners are more positive as regards English vocabulary learning, and adopt learning strategies more frequently than less successful learners. Based on the findings of the investigation, some pedagogical implications are provided to suggest teachers encourage and help students to hold an active and positive attitude toward English learning, and introduce more learning strategies to promote the students' English acquisition.

For several decades, reading strategies have aroused many researchers’ interest.Readingis a very important language skill for English learners; however, many English majors feel that their reading proficiency is far from satisfying though they have studied English for more than ten years. Therefore, the current situation of using reading strategies among Chinese sophomore English majors is studied in this paper. The research aims to study the relationship between the use of reading strategies and the students’ reading achievements. The reading comprehension part of TEM 4 (2006) and two questionnaires are adopted in this study to collect data from the investigated students. The participants are 54 English major sophomores from a university in China. The major findings of this study are: English majors use reading strategies in medium level when doing reading comprehension tests. Both metacognitive and cognitive reading strategies significantly correlate with reading achievements and both of them play important roles in reading comprehension. There are differences in the application of reading strategies between high-proficiency readers and low-proficiency readers. Teachers do not pay high attention to instructing reading strategies in the classroom, so some pedagogical implications on the teaching of reading strategies are suggested.