Readability Level Assessment of Modules Prepared at Abbi Addi College of Teacher Education
Abstract
The objective of the study was to assess four selected modules’ readability levels. These were modules of the courses Teaching in Ethiopian Context (PS1 111), Gender and Life Skills (PS4 111), General English (Enla 101) and English in Use (Enla 111) at Abbiyi Addi College of Teacher Education. The readability levels of the modules (computed using the Fog Index Readability formula) were found to be 10, 15.6,12 and 11 for PS1 111, PS4 111, Enla 101 and Enla 111 respectively. The comprehension levels of the learners (assessed using cloze test) were 33.17, 29.53, 27.61 and 22.15 for PS1-111, PS4111, Enla 101 and Enla 111 respectively. These put all students’ comprehension levels of the modules under category of frustration level. Instructors and students (who were using the modules) measures of the modules’ readability (measured using readability checklist) revealed that the modules were of lower quality. Hence, revision of the modules in terms of content, language and design is recommended.
Downloads
References
Questions: A Summary Report. Retrieved on June 20, 2004 from
http://WWW. Ordac research. Com/reports/ report 8. pdf.
Ahmed Reja. (2003). A Teaching Material for the Course “Gender and Life
skill (PS4 111)”. Abbiyi Addi: Abbiyi Addi College of Teacher Education.
Conner, J, (2003), General Readability Checklist. Retrieved on January 16,
2004 from http: // WWW. Indian edu/~ 1517/ readability, htm.
Cornoldi, C. and Oakhill, J. (Eds). (1996). Reading Comprehension
Difficulties: Processes and Interventions. Mahwah, New Jersey:
Lawrence Eribaum Associates.
Gambrel, L. Black, C. & Pressley, M. (2002). New Directions in
Comprehension Instruction: Introduction. Retrieved on January 27,
2004 from http: //www. Amazon. Com/exec/obidus/ + g. detail/-/
572306920? V= glance & V= reviews-Sbk.
Guthrie, J. (2001). Reading and Readability. Retrieved on March 15, 2003 from
http://www.readability/report/resource ID=48.
Harris, A. (1980). Readability in the Classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Horning,A(1987).Readability: Reading/Writing Tools for Measurement:.
Retrieved on July 12, 2004 from http://wwwdynamic drive.com.
Klare, G. R. (1969). The Measurement of Readability Ames. Iowa: State University press.
Mengistie Rebso. (2003). A Teaching Material for the Course “Teaching in
Ethiopian Context (PS1 111)”. Abbiyi Addi: Abbiyi Addi College of
Teacher Education.
Molla Tsegay et al. (2003). A Teaching Material for the Course “General
English (Enla 101).” Abbiyi Addi: Abbiyi Addi College of Teacher
Education.
Molla Tsegay et al. 2003). A Teaching Material for the Course “English in
Use (Enla 111)” Abbiyi Addi: Abbiyi Addi College of Teacher Education.
Quinn, D. (2001). Readability Formulas and Plain Language. Retrieved on
April 10, 2004 from http: // WWW. ime. Com/ Resource/ file. asp?
Resource ID=47.
Rye, J. (1982). Close Procedure and Teaching of Reading. London:
Heinmann Educational Book Ltd.
Siddal, L & Williams, N. E. (2001). The Canon of Readability and Style.
Retrieved on May 06, 2004 from http://WWW.uah.edu/sol/student
sample/style Readability 7-v97ST.ppt.
Weir, J (1990). Communicative Language Testing. New York: Prentice Hall International group.
Williams, J., Leung, P. Kent, J, (2002). Measuring Readability in Accounting:An Application and Evaluation of the Cloze Procedure. Retrived on February 10, 2004 from http: // WWW. CSu. edu, au/ faculty, /commerce/ research new/ publications /2002/21-02.pdf.
