Student's attitudes towards enhancing english reading comprehension via an internet-based computer program

The aim of this study is to examine the attitudes of students towards enhancing reading skills in a foreign language with the help of computers. In the course of the study, a computer program (www.passagework.com) aimed at improving the reading comprehension in a foreign language was employed by the students, and students' attitudes (before and after the study) towards both this program and Computer Assisted Language Learning were evaluated and compared. The study was conducted with the participation of 60 students attending YDS (Examination of Foreign Language) preparation course that was run at the School of Foreign Languages at Dicle University. The students' attitudes towards both Computer Assisted Language Learning and the computer program used during the study were examined through questionnaire and interviews. While the interviews were conducted only after the study, the questionnaires were administered both before and after the study, and the results elicited from the questionnaires were analysed through SPSS program. The results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews provided information on what kind of attitudes the students had towards Computer Assisted Language Learning and the program they used before and after the study, and indicated what kind of changes these attitudes underwent. The results elicited from the study revealed that students had neutral attitudes towards Computer Assisted Language Learning before and after the study, and no significant change stood out in their attitudes. The results also indicated that although the students had neutral attitudes towards CALL, their attitudes towards the program aimed at enhancing reading skill were quite positive both before and after the study. When the results are evaluated holistically, it can be concluded that the program employed in this study (www.passagework.com) is unable to replace traditional classroom education and can be used only as a support. Key Words: Computer Assisted Language Learning, Teaching Reading in English