Are Learners Aware of Their Strategy Use? Investigating EFL Learners’ Self-Perceived Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies with the MARSI-R

Abstract

This study investigated EFL learners’ self-perceived metacognitive strategy use with the revised Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (MARSI-R). Data collection followed two steps. In the first step, 213 EFL learners responded to the inventory twice (before and after a reading comprehension task). In the second step, 81 out of the 213 participants answered an open survey inquiring learners’ perception and changes of perception of metacognitive reading strategy use during the reading process. Results indicate that learners’ self-perceived strategy use changed significantly after performing the reading task. Learners’ feedbacks in the survey show that learners’ self-perceived strategy use might not reflect the actual use of strategies. This inconsistency between self-perceived reading strategy use and the actual strategy use might mislead learners in their foreign language learning. Further empirical studies are needed to validate the instrument and explore classroom instructions that help learners better understand their actual strategy use during the reading process.