Teaching reading with brain based teaching strategies in adult EFL classrooms

Learning is a complex process that takes place in our everyday life. Some piece of information is learned easily while some other information cannot be learned even too much effort is put in. The human being is actively engaged during the learning process both physically and emotionally. However the most important role is on the brain in the learning process. As a result it is important to understand how the brain learns. The research findings on the physiology and functions of the brain lead to the development of brain based teaching model by combining the principles of brain mechanism for learning. The aim of brain based teaching model is to get the utmost efficiency from the learning process and make the learning long-lasting. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of brain based teaching strategies on reading comprehension skills of adult EFL learners. The study was conducted at Adıyaman University and participants of this study were freshmen students attending the Basic English course. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with control grouped pre-test post-test implementation. Pre-test and post-test results of the experimental group and the control group were compared after 12 weeks of brain based instruction in the experimental group. The findings of the study suggested that use of brain based teaching strategies in EFL reading classes made significant improvements in the reading comprehension skills of adult EFL learners. Also students receiving brain based instruction had improved vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and speaking skills related to the reading comprehension skills, too. Furthermore; the study investigated students' views on brain based teaching strategies with the implementation of a students' views questionnaire and student interviews in the experimental group. The results indicated that students had positive views on brain based instruction and use of brain based instruction was helpful in evoking positive feelings about EFL learning in EFL students. In addition to these; the results of minute papers collected from students in the experimental group showed that use of brain based instruction in EFL reading classes may be helpful in overcoming difficulties learners face during EFL reading classes. Keywords: Brain based teaching strategies, reading comprehension skills, adult learners, students' views.