THE ROLE OF READERS’ THEATER IN ENGAGING MIDDLE SCHOOL PUPILS TO READ: The case of Third Year Middle School Pupils at Chaabani Mohamed Middle School, Ouled Djellal,Biskra

Abstract

Apstract Pupils’ disengagement in the learning process is among the most crucial reasons of their low achievement. Redicide is the kill of the love of reading what would result in learners reading disengagement. Reading is a very important skill that should be improved and practiced not only through silent reading but aloud reading as well from early stages of the learning process. However, a large number of Algerian middle school pupils are less engaged in the reading activities besides to their low ability to read. Therefore, this research emphasizes on the importance of choosing the adequat teaching strategy/tool from the part of the teachers as well as syllabus designers to raise learners reading engagement. The present study aims to explore the role of readers’ theater as an engaging strategy for young learners to read. To realize the sought objectives at hand, a descriptive qualitative study was persued in order to describe two variables :Readers’ theater strategy as the independent variable and its role in improving learners engagement to read as the dependent variable. Accordingly, a mixed method approach was choosed in which two data collection tools were adopted, namely : classroom observation and pupils’ questionnaire ,taking the case of third year middle school pupils in a sample of (38) learners. Eventually, after describing , analysing, and discussing the obtained data from the two instruments, the findings revealed that implementing RT as a teaching tool in EFL classes can result in enhancing young learners’ engagement to read. Hence, we can ensure the validity of our suggested hypothesis.