Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences ISSN: 2231-6345 (Online) An Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jls.htm 2013 Vol. 3 (3) July-September, pp.634-638/Madineh et al. Research Article 634 THE EFFECT OF E-LANGUAGE LEARNING TASK ON IRANIAN EFL LEARNERS` READING COMPREHENSION ABILITY *Mina Madineh, Shahrokh Jahandar and Morteza Khodabandehlou Department of English Language, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Iran *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT The present investigation was an attempt to study the effect of e-learning on Iranian EFL learner ’s reading comprehension ability. To that end, a PET test was administered to 100 university students learning English language in institutes. Learners who scored between one above and below the standard deviation were selected. 40 learners were selected and they were divided into experimental and control group, each group contained 20 learners. A reading comprehension test was administered to both groups as a pre-test to take their initial knowledge of listening comprehension. The reading section of the TOEFL test was selected to test the reading ability of the participants. The experimental group received treatment in order to help them improve their computer and the Internet use in ten sessions. The control group received no treatment. Finally both groups sat for the post-test of the same reading comprehension test. The results were analyzed through ANCOVA and it was explored that e-learning had a positive effect on Iranian EFL learner’s reading comprehension ability. Key Words: Reading Comprehension, E-learning, Multimedia INTRODUCTION Reading comprehension is essential for academic achievement. Daniel et al., (2006) state that learners “with poor reading and accompanying academic difficulties may experience increasing frustration, low self‐esteem, and loss of motivation for learning as they progress through school”. These negative effects are not only restricted to the school environment, but also effect learner’s personal lives. It is thus imperative for all teachers to help learners improve their reading ability. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether teachers could improve learner’s reading comprehension by using technology. This research will focus on how technology can be used as an intervention measure in classes where learners struggle with foreign language reading comprehension. Statement of the Problem With the increased use of computers and the advent of the Internet, e-mail, digital materials, e-journals, to get information is not only from paper but also from computers. Online reading serves as one of the sources of input for L2 readers. Electronic texts introduce new supports as well as new challenges that can have a great impact on an individual’s ability to comprehend what he or she reads. Today, computer technology has been integrated into almost every aspect of learning in higher education. In fact, “the Internet has become an important part of college student ’s lives, not only for their studies and daily routines, but as a tool for getting to know other people and the rest of the world” (Chou and Hsiao, 2000). Since a wealth of reading materials is available via the Internet, learner’s reading format appears to have shifted emphasis from reading the printed text to the use of the electronic medium to retrieve information. However, some researchers remain cautious of technology adoption. It is generally assumed that computer users need a special literacy competence to control monitors when reading on screens. However, such beliefs are largely lacking in empirical verification. Even though some studies (i.e. Gould et al., 1987a; Tapscott, 1998; Eveland and Dunwoody, 2001; Clariana and Wallace, 2002) have been conducted to examine whether the past experience of using computer may affect reading comprehension, the results are inconsistent. Significance of the Study The current study intends to examine the effects of e-learning on student’s reading comprehension in the Iranian college English context. It is believed that the results of this study have some benefits for Iranian