Using ICT-based Interventions to Boost Malaysian Young Rural Learners' Interest and Motivation in Reading English Materials: A Literature Review

Abstract

The use of technology-based interventions helps young learners maintain focus and motivation in mastering English through reading. This review examines the effectiveness of ICT-based interventions in boosting motivation and interest to read English-language materials, particularly among young learners in rural primary schools and identifies challenges faced by rural primary schools’ teachers in using ICT for English Language Teaching. The past reviews that specified on related past studies with a range of 2013-2023 along with other publications considered including proceedings, books, website articles, as well as PhD thesis that resonate specifically to the study were chosen using Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis Online Journals, and Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC). A total of 81 relevant published works were selected to answer the research questions. The review concludes that ICT-based interventions indeed significantly and favourably affect young learners' motivation and interest in reading English materials, as well as enhancing their ICT knowledge. It is also found that the main challenges in implementing ICT in ESL rural primary ESL classrooms are both physical & psychological. Future research proposed in relation to this study is to focus on how young learners use ICT to develop multiple skills in language learning.