READING PROFICIENCY AND LEXICAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN KASHMIR."

Abstract

The present research aims to investigate that how reading English texts enhances vocabulary skills and how does extensive reading have a positive impact on the English vocabulary acquisition of college students in Kashmir. This quantative nature research utilizes survey design.  Research population was contain on college level ESL students of Kashmir, which comprises 10 districts. Through random sampling technique the 25 students from each district were selected as research target population that makes overall sample of 250 participants for assembling data. As a research tool an online questionnaire was be used for data collection. The questionnaire was contained on two parts. First part provide demographic information of the research participants while, the second part was contained on 11 close ended items. Data was collected through online questionnaire send by email and WhatsApp. The collected data was later analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) latest version and analyzed data was presented in tables in numerical form. The results revealed that the majority of the research participants responded positively to the statements. Research confirms that reading English texts significantly enhances the vocabulary skills of college students in Kashmir, particularly through extensive reading programs outside the classroom. On the base of these results the researcher suggested some recommendations for future researchers and scholars.