CLT Approach in Teaching Reading Effectiveness Among Out- of- school youth ( OSY ) ESL Learners: Basis for Digital Literacy Innovation and AI Application in Graduate Schools

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the reading skill  of Out -of- School Youth (OSY). Specifically, it sought answers   to the following objectives: ( 1.)  To determine the factors why the Out-of-School Youth  are  unable to read;      ( 2.) To look into the effectivity of Communicative Language Teaching ( CLT) Approach in teaching reading to the OSY Learners; (3.) To identify efficient reading interventions for OSY Learner; ( 4.) To introduce  Digital Literacy  such as  Artificial Intelligence   ( AI ) to the respondents.
Descriptive Qualitative Research Design was employed to Ten ( 10 ) OSY who were selected as respondents  using purposive sampling technique. Interview guide questions and video recordings to back up the FGD . KI interviews   were  used  as  research instruments. The data gathered were transcribed and interpreted using thematic coding to determine whether CLT Approach is effective among OSY as far as Reading Skill is concerned.
Results revealed that OSY learners were inclined to be “ Collaborative” in their learning styles than to be “ Traditional” in learning reading.   Also,  reasons of not coming back to school were as follows: Lack of financial support from parents,  parents have no work which can sustain their children’s educational needs.
Data also showed that the OSY are willing to continue their education and want to know how to read. Results also revealed ,  after introducing the CLT approach to the  ESL  learners that they liked the CLT in learning reading. Furthermore, it was discovered that learning reading  among the respondents happened naturally after they were  given  set of activities to do. They were indeed engaging and interactive. Communicative Learning Approach  ( CLT)by  Canale and Swain (1984)  proved to be effective in teaching reading  among the respondents Out -of-School Youth ( OSY ). To replicate this study for the future researchers, it was recommended that digitalized reading instructions shall be introduced to the OSY ESL learners as well as the knowledge on AI , specifically , in utilizing AI in teaching reading to abreast learners to latest trends and innovations in teaching reading skill.