The effect of elective reading skills course on reading success and habits of secondary school students

This research aims to find out the effect of elective reading skills course on reading success and habits of secondary school students. The sample of the study consists of 400 students who studied in Giresun city center during 2014-2015 academic year (Cumhuriyet, Kanuni, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Teyyaredüzü, Gedikkaya, Güre and Aksu-Seka secondary schools). The research data was obtained by reading comprehension achievement test scales and a survey determining reading habits. The independent sample t test was used during the analysis of the data and one way anova (f) statistical technique was used to determine whether the reading success of the 5th grade students who took the elective reading skills course changed according to schools. In the analysis of data related to reading habit, the chi-square statistics with the frequency (f) and percentage (%) were used. According to the findings obtained from the scales examining the effect of the selective reading skills course on reading achievement, it has been found out that there is no significant difference between reading achievement of the students who took the elective reading skills course and those who didn't regarding their reading achievements and that school variable makes no reasonable difference on the reading success of the students. According to the findings obtained from the scales that investigate the effect of elective reading skills course on reading habits, it has been found out that the variable of taking elective reading skills course has no significant effect on loving reading books, reading books habit, having a library at home, reading frequency, reading duration, the number of books read in a year, choice of books, the way to reach books, choosing books, using public library, factors that prevent reading books while reading books have a positive effect on the opinions about what people will get by reading. Keywords: Elective Course, Reading, Habits, Turkish Teaching