1. Current research on readability in Malay Language Dr. Dahlia Janan

2. Research title: Matching text to reader: exploring a new model of readability for Malay language texts Funded by: Research Acculturation Grants (RAGS) MOHE

3. Aims of research To explore the concept of readability and its usefulness for writers of Malay language school texts, and teachers using these texts To test the relevance of a new model of readability, first developed in an English language context

4. Aims of research To highlight features of Malay language texts which contribute to the readability and/or comprehensibility of these texts for their intended readers To explore the effects on readers’ interactions with a range of Malay language texts of various reader characteristics, e.g. gender, background knowledge, etc.

5. Methods This research will use mixed method data collection methods. Quantitative data will be collected through the measuring of the readability indices and the analysis of the text features of the texts involved in the research. Qualitative data will be collected using the miscue analysis and retelling and interview procedures involving a sample of primary-aged readers.

6. 15 girls and 15 boys of primary school age will be involved in this study. They will represent a range of urban and rural schools and different social economic backgrounds. These participants will be ask to read two sets of reading material, one chosen by them and the other chosen by their teachers.

7. The Yunus (1982) and Abdul (1991) formulae will be used to measure the readability index of the reading materials the pupils read. The data analyses will involve the comparison of the participants’ reading level while reading the text that they chose and the texts that teachers chose. Apart from that this research also aims to gather data about the differences or similarities of the text features of both these texts.

8. Data Collection Procedures Reading Event One Reading Event Two Step 2 Miscue Analysis Step 2 Miscue Analysis Step 1 Text selected by the participants; Individual readability index Step 1 Text selected by the participants; Individual readability index Step 3 Retelling Step 3 Retelling Step 1 Text selected by the teacher; Step 1 Text selected by the teacher; Step 2 Miscue Analysis Step 2 Miscue Analysis Step 3 Retelling Step 3 Retelling Step 4 Interview Step 4 Interview Step 4 Interview Step 4 Interview Step 5 Text Feature Analysis Step 5 Text Feature Analysis Step 5 Text Feature Analysis Step 5 Text Feature Analysis