1 Submitted by: Submitted by: Supervised by: Supervised by: Mr. Mâamar Missoum Mr. Mâamar Missoum Mrs. Yasmine Mrs. Yasmine Boukhedimi Boukhedimi Academic Year 2006-07 Academic Year 2006-07 The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research University of Algiers at Bouzaréah University of Algiers at Bouzaréah Faculty of Arts and Languages Faculty of Arts and Languages Department of English Department of English Dissertation for the Degree of Magister in English Dissertation for the Degree of Magister in English (Linguistics & Didactics) (Linguistics & Didactics) AN INVESTIGATION OF AN INVESTIGATION OF LECTURE COMPREHENSION & NOTE TAKING STRATEGIES LECTURE COMPREHENSION & NOTE TAKING STRATEGIES OF SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH OF SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BLIDA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BLIDA
The People’s Democratic Republic of AlgeriaThe People’s Democratic Republic of AlgeriaMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific ResearchMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
University of Algiers at BouzaréahUniversity of Algiers at BouzaréahFaculty of Arts and LanguagesFaculty of Arts and Languages
Department of EnglishDepartment of English
Dissertation for the Degree of Magister in English (Linguistics & Didactics)Dissertation for the Degree of Magister in English (Linguistics & Didactics)
AN INVESTIGATION OF AN INVESTIGATION OF LECTURE COMPREHENSION & NOTE TAKING STRATEGIESLECTURE COMPREHENSION & NOTE TAKING STRATEGIES
OF SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH OF SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BLIDAAT THE UNIVERSITY OF BLIDA
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
CONTENTSCONTENTS
Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms
List of AcronymsList of Acronyms Chapter One: General IntroductionChapter One: General Introduction Chapter Two: Review of the LiteratureChapter Two: Review of the Literature Chapter Three: Methods & ProceduresChapter Three: Methods & Procedures Chapter Four: Data Treatment & PresentationChapter Four: Data Treatment & Presentation Chapter Five: DiscussionChapter Five: Discussion Chapter Six: ImplicationsChapter Six: Implications Chapter Seven: General ConclusionChapter Seven: General Conclusion AppendicesAppendices BibliographyBibliography
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTIONChapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
What’s The ProblemWhat’s The Problem? ?
For many years (1995-2002), academic achievement in the English Department at the University of Blida was lower than average = more than 50 per cent of the student in the different levels got an annual average lower than passing grade (10/20)
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTIONChapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Background of the StudyBackground of the Study
Teachers in English Department at University of Blida complaining about students’ low academic achievement.
Complaints consistent with researcher’s observations during his thirteen-year experience as student & as teacher in Department.
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTIONChapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The Research RationaleThe Research Rationale
Initial investigation – 2nd year students’ annual grade averages for 2000-2002 classes: 50% of students failed to obtain passing averagePreliminary survey- teachers rate students’ achievement at level 2/5 (Appendix A: Preliminary Survey Questionnaire: p179 & Appendix B: The Students’ Grades: p180)
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTIONChapter One: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Purpose and Scope of the StudyPurpose and Scope of the Study
Do 2nd year students in ED use adequate lecture comprehension and note taking strategies to learn efficiently from academic lectures? Why select lecture comprehension and note taking as object for present investigation of academic underachievement?- The preliminary survey of the teachers - Lectures most available source of knowledge for students
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter Two: REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREChapter Two: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Section One:Section One: The Academic Lecture - Key FeaturesThe Academic Lecture - Key Features
Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter Two: REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREChapter Two: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Section One:Section One: The Academic Lecture - Key FeaturesThe Academic Lecture - Key Features
Discourse of academic lectures distinctive: Discourse Markers - propositional density - conceptual complexity - Linguistic complexity - support media - interaction
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter Two Chapter Two REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREREVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Section Two:Section Two:
EFL Lecture Comprehension-Key Tasks & StrategiesEFL Lecture Comprehension-Key Tasks & StrategiesUsing discourse markers & prior knowledge to Anticipate Using discourse markers & prior knowledge to Anticipate discourse – infer meaning – select & synthesise informationdiscourse – infer meaning – select & synthesise information
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidacof English at the University of Blidac
Chapter Two Chapter Two
REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREREVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Section Three: Lecture Note TakingSection Three: Lecture Note TakingLong-term learning depends on taking good notes: a record of understanding.Long-term learning depends on taking good notes: a record of understanding. 3 phases: 3 phases: -Taking Notes during Lectures: requires -Taking Notes during Lectures: requires selectingselecting, , paraphrasing and paraphrasing and
reducing lecture textreducing lecture text - Editing Notes: rereading, expanding, and organizing the content.- Editing Notes: rereading, expanding, and organizing the content. - Memory must be supported with timely review- Memory must be supported with timely review
Value of lecture notesValue of lecture notes for students derives from their quality. for students derives from their quality. What What parameters could be used to assess the quality of students’ notes?parameters could be used to assess the quality of students’ notes?
Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Review of Literature Review of Literature
Listeners must use efficient strategies to cope Listeners must use efficient strategies to cope with demands of learning from academic with demands of learning from academic
lecture.lecture.
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter ThreeChapter Three
METHODS & PROCEDURESMETHODS & PROCEDURES The Research QuestionsThe Research Questions Do 2Do 2ndnd year students in ED use adequate lecture comprehension and note year students in ED use adequate lecture comprehension and note
taking strategies to learn efficiently from academic lecturestaking strategies to learn efficiently from academic lectures??
Q 1: How would subjects perform on a test of lecture comprehension? Q 1: How would subjects perform on a test of lecture comprehension? Q 2: Do the subjects Q 2: Do the subjects useuse efficient lecture comprehension strategies? efficient lecture comprehension strategies? Q 3: How would subjects perform on a lecture note taking task? Q 3: How would subjects perform on a lecture note taking task? Q 4: Do they use efficient note taking strategies?Q 4: Do they use efficient note taking strategies? Q 5: Does instruction in DE provide for adequate training in lecture comprehension and note taking?Q 5: Does instruction in DE provide for adequate training in lecture comprehension and note taking? Q 6:Q 6: Does the curriculum in ED provide for development of students’ lecture comprehension and note taking Does the curriculum in ED provide for development of students’ lecture comprehension and note taking
ability?ability? Q 7: Do lectures contain features that assist students in their effort to comprehend lecture content and record it in Q 7: Do lectures contain features that assist students in their effort to comprehend lecture content and record it in
notes?notes?
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter ThreeChapter Three
METHODS & PROCEDURESMETHODS & PROCEDURES
The Research DesignThe Research Design 5 research instruments 5 research instruments
1- Observation of Lectures1- Observation of Lectures 2- Test of Lecture Comprehension (300 subjects - 09 strategies)2- Test of Lecture Comprehension (300 subjects - 09 strategies) 3- Analysis of the Subjects’ Lecture Notes- 25 samples3- Analysis of the Subjects’ Lecture Notes- 25 samples 4- Survey Questionnaires-4- Survey Questionnaires-crosscheck and completecrosscheck and complete datadata–144 subjects + 18 –144 subjects + 18
teachersteachers 5- Analysis of Instruction in Listening Comprehension: official statement of 5- Analysis of Instruction in Listening Comprehension: official statement of
the listening syllabus - course notes from the listening syllabus - course notes from 55 students. students.
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter FourChapter Four
DATA TREATMENT & PRESENTATIONDATA TREATMENT & PRESENTATION
Quantification of subjects` performance on Test of Lecture Quantification of subjects` performance on Test of Lecture ComprehensionComprehension
- Translating responses into grades- Translating responses into grades
- Combined grades for individual strategies assessed- Combined grades for individual strategies assessed Questionnaire: Tremendous amount of dataQuestionnaire: Tremendous amount of data
Responses added up for each question by category of respondents Responses added up for each question by category of respondents (students, listening teachers and lecturers)(students, listening teachers and lecturers)
(Appendix F: Samples of the Students’ Notes from Lectures of the Lecture Comprehension Test: p 91(Appendix F: Samples of the Students’ Notes from Lectures of the Lecture Comprehension Test: p 91 - - Appendix J: Appendix J:
The Questionnaires Aggregated Responses: p The Questionnaires Aggregated Responses: p 20)20)
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter FiveChapter Five
DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION
Some Research LimitationsSome Research Limitations::
-Little research on lecture comprehension-Little research on lecture comprehension
--AcceptableAcceptable degree ofdegree of validity validity and and reliabilityreliability ReplicationReplication: Test & questionnaire with 2 classes of second : Test & questionnaire with 2 classes of second
year students --- Necessitating more time for data analysis year students --- Necessitating more time for data analysis Triangulation: Triangulation: 05 research instruments - crosschecking05 research instruments - crosschecking
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter Five : DISCUSSIONChapter Five : DISCUSSION
Possible Possible answers from the results?answers from the results?
Q 1Q 1-How would subjects perform on a test of lecture comprehension? -How would subjects perform on a test of lecture comprehension? Combined average score Combined average score
31.65%31.65%
- 79% failed on- 79% failed on Recognising Overall Structure of Lecture. Recognising Overall Structure of Lecture.
Q 2- Q 2- Do subjects Do subjects useuse efficient lecture comprehension strategies? efficient lecture comprehension strategies? Questionnaire show many subjects Questionnaire show many subjects not using efficient strategiesnot using efficient strategies
- 60% would not systematically use markers to recognize topic.- 60% would not systematically use markers to recognize topic.
Q 3- How would subjects perform on a lecture note taking task? LQ 3- How would subjects perform on a lecture note taking task? Low notes’ efficiency scoresow notes’ efficiency scores-- Problems identifying key information.Problems identifying key information.
Q 4- Do the subjects use efficient note taking strategies? Significant numbers of subjects reported Q 4- Do the subjects use efficient note taking strategies? Significant numbers of subjects reported using inefficient strategies or not using betterusing inefficient strategies or not using better onesones - - subjects often resort to a note-all strategy subjects often resort to a note-all strategy
Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Q 5- Does instruction in DE provide for adequate training in lecture comprehension Q 5- Does instruction in DE provide for adequate training in lecture comprehension and note taking?and note taking?
Listening instruction overlooked most of key strategies Listening instruction overlooked most of key strategies Q 6- Does curriculum in ED provide for development of students’ lecture Q 6- Does curriculum in ED provide for development of students’ lecture
comprehension and note taking ability?comprehension and note taking ability? The official statement of the syllabus: no reference note taking and most strategiesThe official statement of the syllabus: no reference note taking and most strategies Q 7- Do lectures contain features that would assist students in their effort to Q 7- Do lectures contain features that would assist students in their effort to
comprehend content and record it in notes? comprehend content and record it in notes? -structure of the lectures often not quite clear; -structure of the lectures often not quite clear; -Outlines of the lectures rarely given;-Outlines of the lectures rarely given; --summaries of the main points quite scarce;summaries of the main points quite scarce;
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Matching data: Matching data:
Many students use poor lecture comprehension and Many students use poor lecture comprehension and note-taking strategiesnote-taking strategies
Listening instruction hardly providing for adequate Listening instruction hardly providing for adequate trainingtraining
Features that help listeners often scarce in the lecturesFeatures that help listeners often scarce in the lectures
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Chapter Six: IMPLICATIONSChapter Six: IMPLICATIONSSuggestions that may improve learning from lectures in the EDSuggestions that may improve learning from lectures in the ED
Suggestions for Better Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Instruction:Suggestions for Better Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Instruction: Learning/Teaching ApproachLearning/Teaching Approach should bettershould better
Be Strategy-BasedBe Strategy-Based Integrate Authentic Content/ FormatIntegrate Authentic Content/ Format Integrate Authentic TasksIntegrate Authentic Tasks Inclusive of Self-StudyInclusive of Self-Study
For a sample of activities to illustrate the required task features, readers can refer to -Test of Lecture Comprehension For a sample of activities to illustrate the required task features, readers can refer to -Test of Lecture Comprehension
under Appendix C. The scripts of the lectures used in the test are under Appendix D.under Appendix C. The scripts of the lectures used in the test are under Appendix D.
Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Suggestions for Lecturers to Enhance Lecture LearningSuggestions for Lecturers to Enhance Lecture Learning
Reading assignments - a clear structure - outline of the lecture - Reading assignments - a clear structure - outline of the lecture - monitoring & anticipating conceptual & linguistic challenges - monitoring & anticipating conceptual & linguistic challenges - giving summaries and checking comprehension frequentlygiving summaries and checking comprehension frequently
Recommendations for Curriculum and Program Recommendations for Curriculum and Program AdministratorsAdministrators
Little resources available to develop study skills: Mutual Little resources available to develop study skills: Mutual contribution between modulescontribution between modules
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
CHAPTER SEVEN: GENERAL CONCLUSIONCHAPTER SEVEN: GENERAL CONCLUSION
Lecture-based aural comprehension & note taking skills are Lecture-based aural comprehension & note taking skills are critical to academic studiescritical to academic studies
FiveFive research instruments to investigate students’ strategies research instruments to investigate students’ strategies Sustained efforts to improve validity & reliability Sustained efforts to improve validity & reliability
Data collected crosscheckedData collected crosschecked Overall, subjects performed lower than average on almost all Overall, subjects performed lower than average on almost all
Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Probes of strategy use revealed that many subjects not using Probes of strategy use revealed that many subjects not using effective strategieseffective strategies
Lectures did not appear to furnish optimal discourseLectures did not appear to furnish optimal discourse Finally, data on listening instruction suggest training received Finally, data on listening instruction suggest training received
by subjects overlooked most of efficient strategiesby subjects overlooked most of efficient strategies Some recommendations made: instruction in lecture Some recommendations made: instruction in lecture
comprehension and note taking, lecturing, curriculum and comprehension and note taking, lecturing, curriculum and program administrationprogram administration
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Insights gained in the present study may contribute to Insights gained in the present study may contribute to adjusting teaching in DE toadjusting teaching in DE to help the students learn help the students learn better from lecturesbetter from lectures
Future ResearchFuture Research: Several issues remain to be : Several issues remain to be investigated: study skills in English departments - investigated: study skills in English departments - Common goal: Informing teaching/learning to Common goal: Informing teaching/learning to achieve higher efficiency.achieve higher efficiency.
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
We want our students to be successful and We want our students to be successful and learning teaching process more effective and learning teaching process more effective and
generative of the experience of success.generative of the experience of success.
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Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007Magister Dissertation by Mâamar Missoum 1994-2007An Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year StudentsAn Investigation of the Lecture Comprehension & Note Taking Strategies of Second Year Students
of English at the University of Blidaof English at the University of Blida
Thank your for your attention!Thank your for your attention!
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