The Effect of CALL on EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension and Attitude towards the Use of Technology

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of CALL in developing reading proficiency of Iranian EFL learners in comparison to paper-based instruction and to investigate any significant difference in the reading comprehension of the high and low proficient learners after receiving computer-assisted instruction (CAI). This study also investigated the participants’ attitudes toward Information Technology before and after the instruction in the experimental groups and examined the differences between the high and low proficient learners’ attitudes toward Information Technology. The 40 female participants of the study, who were 20 high and 20 low proficient learners were randomly divided into four groups, two experimental groups and two comparison groups. The findings of the study indicated that there was a significant difference in the reading comprehension of the learners who received CAI in comparison to those learners who received paper-based instruction. Furthermore; there was a significant difference in the reading comprehension of the high and low proficient learners who received CAI. The results also showed that while the high proficient learners developed a more positive attitude toward Information Technology after instruction, the low proficient learners’ attitude did not change significantly.