The Impact of Concept Mapping on Summarizing Short Stories for EFL Learners

Document Type : مقالات علمی پژوهشی

Authors
University of Qom
Abstract
Language learners find it hard to change a text’s wording and present it differently while maintaining the original meaning in the text. This research therefore examined the effect of concept mapping instruction on summarizing short stories for EFL learners. Two intact grade-eight classes were assigned to experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 18) groups randomly. They summarized a starter-level short story, Drive into danger, using a maximum of 450 words as pretest. Next, the experimental group experienced concept-mapping instruction whereas the latter group received the traditional way of teaching summarization, for six consecutive weeks. Both groups summarized the same story again, based on their instruction, into a 450-word text at a maximum as posttest. Pretest and posttest summaries were assessed in terms of content, organization, vocabulary, and language use. The experimental group positively improved on overall performance, content, and organization, marginally improved on vocabulary, but did not improve on language use. Furthermore, the participants’ feedback on the instructional treatment support the statistical results. The findings offer several instructional implications.

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Author [removed for review].
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 July 2025