Parental engagement in shared reading of english storybooks: Exploring their goals, challenges and strategies
List of Authors
  • Sarimah Shamsudin , Zhao Lili

Keyword
  • Shared Reading, Chinese Parental Goals, Challenges, Strategies

Abstract
  • Numerous research examined shared reading's effects on children's language development, however, the existing accounts about parents’ voices were hardly addressed. While several studies centered on parents’ goals, beliefs and attitudes in the first language storybook reading, little is known about parents’ engagement in shared reading in English as a foreign language (EFL) context where parents may encounter unexpected challenges and employ different supporting strategies. Therefore, this study examined parents’ goals, challenges and strategies during English storybook shared reading sessions with their children in the home setting. Data was obtained from a survey with 211 parents and semi-structured interviews with 20 parents. The mixed method approach was applied to generate three major findings, namely, goals, challenges as well as coping strategies during parents’ English storybook shared reading sessions in the EFL learning context. The findings of this research may shed light on the development of effective support programs and resources to cater for parents’ needs in supporting their children’s English learning.

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