INTRODUCTION
Rationale
For non-native English speakers, mastering English reading is essential, yet many Vocational School students face challenges in this area Despite having access to various reading strategies, these students often struggle to apply them effectively, hindering their reading comprehension skills.
Many English and ESP teachers recognize that students often struggle to comprehend English texts effectively This difficulty is largely due to challenges with vocabulary and grammatical structures encountered in reading comprehension exercises.
As a teacher of English at a Vocational School in Thua Thien Hue Province,
Reading comprehension is a crucial language skill for students in Vocational Schools, particularly in their technical fields Implementing effective strategies to enhance reading comprehension within the technical context is essential for student success.
Many students overlook the significance of effective learning strategies, particularly in English reading comprehension This motivated me to explore "An investigation into English reading comprehension strategies used for Vietnamese first-year students at Vocational Schools in Thua Thien Hue Province" for my research thesis My goal is to enhance students' awareness of the importance of these strategies and to improve their reading comprehension skills.
Research aims and objectives
1 Build up English comprehension strategies that are suitable for Vietnamese students
2 Enhance the students‟ awareness for the importance of reading English documents
1 Investigate the attitudes of the first year students at Vocational Schools on reading comprehension strategies employed in their reading comprehension texts' practice;
2 Identify students' difficulties when they implement reading comprehension strategies in their technical reading texts;
3 Find out how students solve the difficulties concerning reading comprehension strategies in their learning process.
Research questions
This research paper explores effective English reading comprehension strategies tailored for Vietnamese first-year students It aims to develop strategies that enhance reading comprehension skills among these students and outlines practical applications for both students and teachers to implement these strategies effectively.
1 What are the attitudes of the first year students at VS in Thua Thien Hue Province towards reading comprehension strategies in their reading comprehension texts' practices?
2 What are the difficulties encountered by first year students at VS in Thua Thien Hue Province in reading technical texts? How can they solve the difficulties?
3 What are some suggestions to improve the students‟ awareness of reading comprehension strategies?
Research significance
This research focuses on enhancing students' awareness of reading comprehension strategies and their effective implementation to improve learning outcomes Additionally, it highlights the implications for students to learn more efficiently through reading comprehension and provides insights for teachers to strengthen students' abilities in these strategies.
Structure of the thesis
The thesis consists of five chapters
Chapter One introduces the rationale of the study, research purposes, research questions, research significance and the structure of the research
Chapter Two presents the theoretical background of the research It includes three main parts: such as (1) related recent research, (2) reading comprehension, and
This article explores three key strategies for enhancing reading comprehension It begins with a review of recent research findings in the field Following that, it defines reading comprehension, highlights the importance of vocabulary understanding within texts, and discusses methods for improving reading skills Finally, the article outlines various reading strategies, identifies challenges faced by students and teachers at VS, and emphasizes the collaborative roles of both educators and learners in the reading comprehension process.
Chapter Three outlines the research methodology utilized to achieve the objectives of the study, detailing the research type, participant selection, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and the overall research procedure.
Chapter Four outlines the findings and discussions, categorized into four key areas: students' attitudes toward reading comprehension strategies, their application of these strategies in technical reading lessons, and the advantages and disadvantages of these strategies in enhancing the learning process.
Chapter Five summarizes the study's conclusions, highlighting the implications of the findings for both students and teachers regarding reading comprehension strategies It also addresses the limitations of the research and offers suggestions for future studies in this area.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Reading comprehension strategies are essential for students to acquire knowledge, understand concepts, and integrate information from various sources such as lectures and reference materials Effective reading is closely tied to comprehension; students who struggle to identify and analyze main ideas often face challenges in fully understanding texts Therefore, it is crucial for students to learn reading techniques that facilitate the use of these strategies, ultimately fostering the development of their critical thinking skills.
Related recent researches
In today's educational landscape, it is crucial for teachers to provide effective guidance on reading comprehension strategies, while students must recognize the significance of these strategies in enhancing their understanding of texts Researchers, including notable figures such as Block, Hosenfeld, and Anderson, have emphasized the importance of reading comprehension strategies and their benefits for learners Numerous studies have explored the impact of these strategies across various reading contexts, highlighting their vital role in academic success.
Research indicates that learners who employ effective reading strategies significantly outperform those who do not Successful readers carefully select their strategies to enhance text comprehension, actively engage with reading tasks, and monitor their understanding In contrast, struggling readers often fail to recognize and utilize effective strategies during their reading activities Additionally, proficient readers tend to use cognitive, memory, metacognitive, compensation, and social strategies more frequently than their less skilled counterparts.
A review of Anderson (1991) revealed that individual differences in learning strategies significantly differentiate effective and less effective second language learners during reading tasks This study focused on two activities: a standardized reading comprehension test and the reading of academic texts The questions were categorized based on the type of reading skills assessed and incorporated think-aloud protocols from the subjects.
In a study by Hosenfeld (1977) on second-language reading, the think-aloud procedure was used to explore the connection between specific reading strategies and reading success The findings revealed that successful readers utilized effective strategies, retained the meanings of key words, and demonstrated confidence in their reading abilities Conversely, unsuccessful readers struggled to remember sentence meanings, often read in short phrases, dismissed words as unimportant, and exhibited a negative attitude towards reading.
Reading comprehension strategies are essential for enhancing understanding in various texts This research aims to highlight the importance of these strategies for learners, particularly second language students, and to raise awareness among teachers about improving students' reading skills By focusing on effective reading practices, I hope to contribute valuable insights that will aid in the development of students' comprehension abilities.
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is a crucial process that assesses how well readers understand a text It involves uncovering meaning from written material and is influenced by various factors within the reading process as the text is interpreted in the reader's mind.
Reading comprehension is essential for students as it reflects their ability to derive meaning from texts It involves active engagement, requiring learners to construct understanding while reading (Wilhelm, 2008: 2).
Reading comprehension as the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning (Anne P S & Catherine E.S (2003) The words extracting and constructing is used to emphasize the two aspects of reading comprehension
Mayer (2003) also identifies that reading comprehension is considered as techniques for improving students' success in extracting useful knowledge from texts
Reading comprehension, as defined by Grellet (1981), is the ability to understand a written text by inferring the intended information It fundamentally involves grasping the meaning of what has been read.
2.3.2 Understanding Vocabulary in the texts of reading comprehension
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in reading comprehension, as understanding the meanings of words is essential for grasping text content (Anderson and Freebody, 1981) A reader's vocabulary size directly influences their ability to comprehend written material Additionally, the contextual meanings of words enhance the overall significance of the text Many students struggle with vocabulary, making it beneficial to provide them with vocabulary lists for each text to aid in their learning and comprehension of exercises and subjects.
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in enhancing readers' comprehension and overall reading skills As readers engage with more texts, their vocabulary expands, making it easier for them to grasp complex ideas Consequently, applying prior knowledge to new reading materials is essential for achieving deeper understanding and effective comprehension.
In grasping a reading text, students should group words in order to understand meanings of the words in related groups
Vocabulary is essential for effective reading, as students can grasp word meanings through the context provided in reading materials This approach allows them to recognize various words, clauses, and sentence structures alongside new vocabulary, demonstrating that memorizing every word's definition from a dictionary is unnecessary.
In addition to mastering the skills, students need to know vocabulary knowledge and reading strategies to monitor their understanding as well
According to Estes (1999), it is essential to clarify key vocabulary and concepts within each text Prior to reading, teachers should ensure that students understand important terms to facilitate comprehension of the material.
A learner should comprehend the new words to read a passage successfully in the text But, teaching readers suitable vocabulary essentially does not enhance their comprehension ( Tuinman & Brady, 1973)
To enhance reading comprehension, teachers should encourage students to read texts without preemptively highlighting difficult words By allowing students to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words through context, they can better develop their vocabulary and comprehension strategies This approach not only promotes engagement but also aids in the effective learning of new vocabulary.
2.3.3 The improvement of reading comprehension
Pre-reading is a crucial stage in the reading process, aimed at enhancing comprehension of the text's content and structure This phase enables students to visualize the material, leading to more effective reading To boost their reading comprehension, students should thoroughly read all instructions and content before diving into the text.
O'Banion (2010) indicates that we can improve reading comprehension when we use the right strategies such as pre-reading, active reading and active monitoring in strengthening comprehension
To achieve their learning goals, students should actively question the information presented in the text, which helps them identify key concepts and related questions Taking notes on significant points enhances their memory and comprehension of the material After completing their reading, students should reflect on the content and attempt to answer their questions using their notes, thereby reinforcing their understanding and expanding their knowledge base.
Improving comprehension involves understanding paragraph structure, anticipating the author's ideas, and predicting questions to enhance understanding Readers should focus on supporting cues and actively monitor their comprehension throughout the reading process.
In reading lessons, it is essential for teachers to enhance students' reading comprehension by guiding them in quickly identifying main ideas Additionally, educators should focus on teaching vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure to support overall language development.
Teachers play a crucial role in guiding students to improve their reading behavior and adapt to different reading situations By demonstrating effective reading strategies tailored to various contexts, educators empower students to enhance their comprehension and engagement with texts.
Strategies in reading comprehension
A strategy is defined as knowledge stored in long-term memory that is activated during integration (Danielle, 2007) According to the author, strategies are essentially a set of rules that are activated and integrated as needed.
O'Malley & Chamot (1990) define strategies as the tools for active, self- directed involvement that is necessary for developing foreign language communicative ability
Comprehension strategies, as defined by Adler (2004), are intentional plans that proficient readers employ to derive meaning from texts By learning these strategies, students can engage more actively in the reading comprehension process.
Comprehension strategies appear to be learned in genre specific environments limiting transfer of strategy use from one type of text setting to another (Duke, 2000; Pressley & McCormick, 1995)
Students are encouraged to engage with texts by exploring their interests, making predictions, and identifying key details They can compare their personal experiences to the content and reflect on the author's implications By asking questions, students actively participate in their reading, enhance their comprehension, and strengthen their memory retention.
Questions are tips to the understanding and students' questions are important
As students ask questions, they wish to learn and thus they can gain comprehension
Engaged readers are characterized by their tendency to ask questions at various stages of the reading process, including before, during, and after engaging with the text These inquiries typically revolve around the text's content, events, issues, or opinions, highlighting the importance of curiosity in enhancing comprehension and retention (Stephanie & Anne, 2007).
According to Moore (1999), questioning texts serves various purposes, including assessing reader comprehension, uncovering the author's ideas, and evaluating the information presented After reading, it's essential to verify whether readers have grasped the content, as questioning can help determine their retention and understanding of the material Readers can engage with the text by posing questions to the author and exploring the connections between ideas and information within the writing.
Gaither (2009) emphasizes the importance of questioning in reading, which serves multiple purposes such as setting reading goals, monitoring understanding, clarifying concepts, and deepening comprehension Teachers encourage students to formulate questions prior to reading, and during the reading process, students engage in asking and answering questions to enhance their understanding and make connections between ideas.
According to Mattis (2010), readers seeking to comprehend a text must engage with questions, which serve as essential clues for understanding Teachers should demonstrate effective questioning techniques by modeling how to ask and answer questions, fostering student interest in learning By sharing inquiries and utilizing a question book, educators can emphasize various types of questions that enhance students' comprehension and meaning-making.
This strategy encourages readers to engage with the text by asking questions, which enhances their ability to gather information, identify key ideas, and summarize content effectively The skill of formulating appropriate questions during reading is invaluable, as it allows learners to focus on the most critical aspects of the material (Duke, 2000; Pressley & McCormick, 1995).
According to Zimmerman (2010), readers can enhance their comprehension by using post-it notes to record questions while reading, which aids in deciphering word meanings This questioning technique not only helps students infer the definitions of unfamiliar words but also allows them to assess their understanding of the text.
Reading comprehension involves integrating prior knowledge with current reading to anticipate future developments in the text and deduce the meanings of words based on their context Inferring entails utilizing information within the text to infer the meanings of unfamiliar language or to fill in missing elements.
Zimmerman (2010) emphasizes the importance of integrating prior knowledge with current reading to effectively predict subsequent text and decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words within the context.
Moore (1999) also refers to the linking of texts The author makes use of what reader knows to form link clearly through sentences and paragraphs
According to Gaither (2009), inferences are closely tied to readers' thoughts, as they utilize both the text and their personal knowledge to derive meaning that extends beyond the written ideas This process involves the use of schemas and textual clues to enhance understanding.
According to Mattis (2010), readers often use body language and expressions to draw inferences while reading In particular, students look for clues in picture books, utilizing illustrations and images to help uncover the meaning of the text.
Readers draw conclusions and interpretations from demonstrations, language, and text, engaging in the process of inferring This involves using their prior knowledge alongside textual clues to arrive at insights or ideas that are not explicitly stated According to Stephanie & Anne (2007), inferring is crucial for understanding and deriving meaning from written material.
This strategy is essential for enhancing text comprehension, as it encourages readers to fill in the gaps by integrating details that may not be explicitly stated By connecting inferences within the text, readers gather information from various sections to create a cohesive understanding, linking external knowledge to the content in order to address any insufficient details.
METHODOLOGY
Research methods
To effectively address the research aims and answer the three key research questions, a suitable research method was selected The researcher employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, gathering data through both questionnaires and interviews.
Participants
The research involved 200 first-year students who were focused on improving their reading comprehension skills through texts and exercises These participants aimed to enhance their understanding and application of reading comprehension strategies, which are essential for their future success after school.
The study involved seven experienced English teachers from Vocational Schools, focusing on the reading comprehension strategies they deemed essential for students to effectively engage with technical texts.
The questionnaire was given to 200 first year students with the return rate of 85% with 100 questionnaires received and 7 teachers of English at Vocational Schools in Thua Thien Hue Province
The researcher conducted in-depth interviews to gather insights and experiences related to the thesis topic, engaging three first-year students from each class and seven English teachers from Vocational Schools.
Seven experienced English teachers participated in interviews, expressing their desire to enhance students' abilities in utilizing reading comprehension strategies for effective learning.
Data collection
In this study, two main tools namely questionnaires and interviews have been utilized to collect data about students‟ perceptions and practices in reading comprehension strategies in learning reading texts
Questionnaires are valuable tools for collecting large-scale information and typically include both open-ended and close-ended questions While close-ended questions are often favored for their utility to researchers and respondents, relying too heavily on them can limit participants' ability to express their thoughts fully, potentially omitting important information Therefore, a balanced combination of open-ended and close-ended questions is most effective for comprehensive data collection in research studies.
According to Oppenheim (1992), a questionnaire serves as a measurement tool for collecting specific types of data In this thesis, the research questionnaire was specifically designed to gather perceptions regarding reading comprehension strategies.
In this thesis, all of the questionnaires is English with both questionnaires for teachers and students and there were both open-ended and closed-ended questions
The research utilized open-ended questions to capture diverse perspectives, while close-ended questions were employed for their ease of administration and to ensure responses remained relevant to the study's focus.
The interviews were structured based on an analysis of the thesis, utilizing questionnaires to gather reliable information The researcher randomly selected twelve respondents, including eight students, to explore their perspectives on reading comprehension strategies and how they address challenges in their learning Additionally, the interviews aimed to assess students' attitudes towards improving their reading comprehension skills The researcher also interviewed four teachers to gain insights into their students' reading comprehension abilities and the methods they employ to enhance these skills.
Interviews can be conducted individually or in groups, utilizing open-ended questions to encourage interviewees to express their thoughts freely and expand on ideas To facilitate this, questions were shared in advance, allowing participants to prepare their insights on the research topic Additionally, by not imposing time limits on responses, interviewees felt more at ease, enabling them to fully articulate their opinions.
The interviews utilized both tape recording and note-taking by the researcher, allowing participants the freedom to express their thoughts without being confined to fixed responses This approach encouraged genuine and voluntary answers, leading to a variety of perspectives from both the interviewer and respondents Consequently, the responses obtained were both truthful and accurate.
Data analysis
The research data were initially gathered from various sources, including research articles, journals, books, and previous studies This data was then analyzed, synthesized, and compared in relation to three specific research questions, with the findings effectively presented through tables and charts.
Research procedure
The researcher conducted a thorough data analysis process, beginning with the collection of relevant prior studies on reading comprehension strategies Next, a list of questionnaire and interview questions was crafted, followed by necessary adjustments to enhance clarity and effectiveness The researcher then gathered responses from participants through these instruments Subsequently, the collected data was systematically organized and analyzed, leading to key findings and discussions based on the data types Finally, the researcher drew conclusions and provided implications for the study.
Part 1: Collecting the previous research related to this research
Part 2: Adjusting some necessary problems for questionnaire and interview questions
Part 3: Collecting data from questionnaire and interview questions
Part 4: Doing the arrangement, analysis and showing the collected data in the right order in parts
Part 5: Presenting the findings and discussion
Part 6: Drawing out conclusion and implications
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Students' points of view on reading comprehension strategies
4.1.1 The importance of reading comprehension strategies
A recent survey revealed that students often struggle with reading comprehension due to unfamiliar vocabulary and sentence structures This challenge leads to difficulties in remembering and understanding new words, resulting in confusion when translating meanings into Vietnamese Additionally, students face obstacles in grasping grammatical concepts, which hinders their ability to accurately complete exercises and tasks.
Figure 4.1 highlights the significance of reading comprehension strategies based on student feedback The collected data categorized responses into four distinct levels of importance: very important, important, not much important, and not important.
Very important Important Not much important
Figure 4.1 The importance of reading comprehension strategies
According to the data presented, 62% of students believe that reading comprehension strategies are "very important" for learning English texts, while 32% consider them "important" for understanding the language learning process This indicates that students recognize the significance of reading comprehension strategies in their educational journey.
A small percentage of students, specifically 4% and 3%, viewed reading comprehension strategies as "not much important" and "not important," respectively This indicates that the majority of students believe they can understand reading texts without employing any specific comprehension strategies, suggesting a lack of awareness regarding the benefits of these techniques.
Interviews revealed that students and teachers alike recognize the importance of reading comprehension strategies in enhancing English learning Students expressed that these strategies are essential for improving their reading skills and achieving greater understanding Teachers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for students to focus on and practice these strategies more diligently during reading lessons.
A recent study examined students' opinions on the significance of reading comprehension strategies, revealing a generally positive understanding among them These strategies are crucial as they enhance students' ability to grasp reading lessons effectively Clear introductions to various strategies from teachers help students tackle tasks and exercises with ease However, the data indicates that some students received minimal guidance on reading comprehension strategies, leading to challenges in completing their assignments Consequently, students are motivated to improve their understanding of these strategies to achieve better learning outcomes.
4.1.2 Common kinds of reading comprehension strategies
The table 4.1 describes students' knowledge of some usual kinds of reading strategies
Types of reading comprehension strategies Total N %
Table 4.1 Common kinds of reading comprehension strategies
In various reading comprehension strategies, students select the approaches that best suit their learning needs, indicating the effectiveness of personalized strategies Notably, 42% of students identified "making connections" as the most effective strategy, allowing them to relate different problems and content This approach enables students to link concepts from their readings to real-life experiences, enhancing their understanding Additionally, teachers play a crucial role in guiding students by providing relevant content that facilitates these connections and aids in comprehending the text more effectively.
Data reveals that 37% of students rely on "questioning" as their primary reading comprehension strategy This approach allows them to engage with the text more deeply, enhancing their understanding of words, structures, and sentences By formulating questions, students not only clarify their thoughts but also seek additional information to support their comprehension This questioning process enables them to gain a clearer insight into the texts they read.
A study found that 26% of students identified "visualizing" as a beneficial strategy for understanding reading material This suggests that visualizing enables students to infer meaning by creating mental images or contexts related to the text By picturing the ideas presented, students demonstrate their comprehension and knowledge gained from the reading.
A significant 23% of students identified "prior knowledge" as their preferred learning strategy, highlighting the importance of teachers providing clues to facilitate understanding Educators recognized that without grasping the overall content of a text, students struggled to comprehend it fully This indicates a passive learning approach, where students fail to connect the coherence within the text By leveraging their prior knowledge, students can enhance their comprehension and effectively address challenges presented in the material.
Data indicates that 18% of students selected "inferring" as their preferred reading comprehension strategy, although many found it challenging to grasp This strategy enabled students to synthesize information and draw inferences, enhancing their understanding of the text By inferring meaning while reading, students were able to develop and construct ideas, ultimately uncovering the text's true significance.
Fourteen percent of students identified "summarizing" as a key reading comprehension strategy This approach helped them focus on essential ideas, allowing them to identify elements and clues necessary for summarizing the text As a result, students found it easier to understand the content of what they read.
The findings reveal that while students can utilize various reading strategies, they struggle to identify which ones are most effective and manageable for their learning Therefore, it is essential for educators to encourage students to infer meanings from the context of the text and to apply appropriate reading strategies tailored to each lesson to enhance their performance in exercises.
Most students believed they could understand the text's content as they began reading, indicating their potential to apply effective learning strategies.
4.1.3 Teachers' roles in reading comprehension strategies
The inquiry into students' perceptions of their teachers' roles in reading comprehension strategies reveals valuable insights The accompanying figure presents the results, highlighting the significance of teachers in guiding and enhancing students' reading skills.
Very necessasy Necessasy Not much necessary
Figure 4.2 Teachers' roles in reading comprehension strategies
Students' use of reading comprehension strategies in their technical reading lessons
4.2 Students' use of reading comprehension strategies in their technical reading lessons
4.2.1 Frequent practice of reading comprehension strategies
The inquiry "How frequently do you implement reading comprehension strategies in your English studies?" seeks to understand the regularity with which students engage these techniques during their reading exercises The accompanying figure demonstrates students' responses regarding the importance of employing reading comprehension strategies in their learning process.
Sometimes Always Very often When required Hardly
Figure 4.5 Frequent practice of reading comprehension strategies
Through the figure, it can be seen that 42 students (42%) stated that they
A significant number of students, 27%, reported that they consistently utilized reading comprehension strategies in their learning Many recognized that these strategies enhanced their understanding and allowed them to effectively apply them in each reading lesson As students engaged more deeply with these strategies, they found it easier to incorporate them into their studies, leading to improved performance on exercises and tasks This indicates that most students valued reading comprehension strategies, as they experienced substantial benefits from their application in reading activities.
Furthermore, among the minority of students who practised reading comprehension strategies, 14% thought that using the strategies was considered
Students frequently expressed their belief that reading comprehension strategies are essential, as they found practicing these techniques during lessons to be highly beneficial for their understanding of the material.
A study indicated that 7% of students utilized reading comprehension strategies when needed, highlighting their perceived necessity for effective learning Students acknowledged the importance of these strategies, suggesting that if they were not beneficial, they would not have been prompted to incorporate them into their educational process.
Five students reported that they rarely noticed the implementation of reading comprehension strategies during their lessons This response highlighted a lack of awareness among students regarding the importance of these strategies in understanding technical reading materials at school Consequently, it is essential to raise awareness about the significance of reading comprehension strategies to help students address their reading challenges effectively.
The research reveals two key insights regarding students' awareness of reading comprehension strategies: a small minority exhibit limited recognition of these strategies, while the majority demonstrate frequent and effective utilization of them in their learning practices.
4.2.2 Capacity of evaluating students' reading comprehension strategies
Evaluating reading comprehension strategies is essential for understanding students' learning processes The inquiry into how students assess their reading comprehension techniques reveals valuable insights, as illustrated in the accompanying figure.
Yes Not sure No No idea Others
Figure 4.6 Students' evaluation of reading comprehension strategies
From the figure 4.6 it can be seen that a large number of students answered
A significant 75% of students acknowledged having various methods to practice reading comprehension strategies, indicating their effectiveness in enhancing learning This demonstrates that students are aware of multiple strategies they can employ during their reading lessons.
Additionally, 13% of students responded with "not sure," indicating a lack of clarity regarding the implementation of these strategies This suggests that many students may not have fully considered how to apply the strategies or lacked a comprehensive understanding of them in their reading materials.
The data indicates that 8% of students responded negatively, citing difficulty in applying reading comprehension strategies to their practices This suggests a lack of understanding of these strategies, hindering their ability to identify effective approaches for each reading lesson Consequently, teachers play a crucial role in guiding students to recognize the importance of integrating reading comprehension strategies into their learning.
A small percentage of students, specifically 3%, responded with "no idea" regarding their reading strategies, indicating a lack of awareness about the importance of these strategies in comprehending texts This suggests that these students did not consider or reflect on the reading strategies necessary for effectively engaging with reading materials, highlighting a gap in their understanding and application of essential reading comprehension techniques.
4.2.3 Evaluation of the results of implementing reading comprehension strategies
The figure below provides students' gained percentage from using reading comprehension strategies in their learning process
Good 95% Low 30 - 40% Weak 10 - 20 Hardly anything
Figure 4.7 Results of implementing reading comprehension strategies
Figure 4.7 indicates that 49% of students believe they have achieved 50 to 60% of their learning objectives They view their use of reading comprehension strategies as adequate and moderately effective for understanding reading texts in their educational practices.
In a recent survey, 41% of participants rated their learning outcomes as "quite good," with 70-80% accuracy in their responses They believed that the goals they set significantly enhanced their comprehension of the reading lessons.
Only 5% of students excelled in their learning practices, demonstrating their ability to effectively achieve the goals they established at the start of their educational journey.
According to the data, 2% of students believe they have not made an effort to improve their reading comprehension strategies, resulting in a perceived low achievement rate of only 30-40% towards their learning goals.
Disadvantages of reading comprehension strategies in students' learning process
4.4.1 Affirmation of difficulties in reading comprehension strategies
The inquiry "Are there any challenges in applying reading comprehension strategies to technical texts?" seeks insights from students who have experienced difficulties with these strategies.
Most students responded affirmatively, indicating that they encountered difficulties in understanding which strategies were appropriate for their technical texts, as these strategies were unfamiliar to them during reading lessons.
A small group of students believed they could easily apply reading strategies in their studies, indicating a strong understanding of these techniques Furthermore, they would enhance their practice of reading strategies through effective teacher guidance and accessible resources.
4.4.2 Difficulties students encountered in using reading comprehension strategies
The table reflects the students' points of view on difficulties in using reading comprehension strategies as mentioned below:
Difficulties students encountered in using reading comprehension strategies Total N %
You are not sure about the vocabulary in the texts 100 43 43 You find it difficult to apply the reading strategies in the reading texts- 100 39 39
You find it hard to concentrate onthe long reading lessons 100 25 25 You are not instructed on how to use reading comprehension strategies in your learning process in an effective way
Table 4.3 Difficulties students encountered in using reading comprehension strategies
As might be expected, a remarkable number of students (43%) answered that
Students faced challenges in understanding and utilizing vocabulary in their reading practices, highlighting a lack of knowledge and familiarity with new words Despite recognizing the importance of comprehending word meanings, their limited vocabulary hindered their ability to engage effectively with texts This lack of enthusiasm for vocabulary acquisition was echoed by teachers, who noted that students often displayed a reluctance to learn and remember word meanings during reading lessons.
The data reveals that 39% of students struggled with applying reading strategies to their exercises, indicating a lack of proficiency in utilizing these techniques within reading texts While proficient students can effectively employ strategies like making connections, those with lower abilities often find it challenging to recognize and apply the appropriate strategies for each text.
A significant 25% of students reported difficulty concentrating on lengthy reading lessons, primarily due to challenges in understanding reading strategies necessary for grasping content Insufficient instructional time and a lack of guidance from teachers on comprehension strategies further compounded this issue, particularly as English is their second language, making vocabulary retention challenging Many students expressed a need for dedicated time to learn and apply reading strategies effectively to enhance their comprehension To truly master reading comprehension, students must gradually practice these strategies across various texts throughout their learning journey.
Table 4.3 indicates that 18% of students reported a lack of effective instruction on using reading comprehension strategies, with many expressing a dislike for lengthy texts Vocabulary challenges frequently hinder students' understanding of reading materials, and they often struggle to apply comprehension strategies To enhance their reading skills, it is essential for teachers to provide guidance on new vocabulary and encourage the application of reading strategies during lessons.
Implementing effective reading strategies is crucial for helping students enhance their comprehension of reading texts These strategies can significantly reduce boredom during reading lessons, especially in long technical subjects at technology schools.
4.4.3 Ways of overcoming difficulties in reading comprehension strategies
To answer the question about students' ways in solving the difficulties of reading comprehension strategies the figure below provides some different students' opinions on dealing with the problems
Ask friends Ask teachers Solve the matters by themselves
Figure 4.10 Ways of overcoming difficulties in reading comprehension strategies
A significant 53% of students reported that they prefer to "ask friends" for answers, often exchanging reading texts to grasp main ideas and tackle tasks effectively During reading comprehension exercises, students collaborate to identify key points that enhance their understanding Many students acknowledged facing challenges with reading comprehension strategies, expressing that overcoming these difficulties is complex Consequently, they frequently seek their friends' opinions for guidance on text comprehension and effective learning approaches Ultimately, insights from peers are deemed valuable and reliable in determining what to focus on in their studies.
When students encounter challenging reading problems, seeking assistance from their teachers is the most effective solution, as indicated by 43% of respondents who preferred this approach Teachers play a crucial role in addressing students' learning difficulties, particularly in developing reading comprehension strategies They provide essential guidance that helps students grasp the concepts related to their reading comprehension lessons.
According to the data, 21% of students believe that the best way to overcome reading difficulties is to "solve the matters by themselves," indicating a strong sense of independence in their learning efforts This self-reliance empowers students to take charge of their education, allowing them to discover solutions to challenges on their own Furthermore, while they often rely on their own learning abilities, they are also open to seeking assistance from peers or teachers when needed to enhance their reading skills.
Only 3% of students opted to "ignore the matters" as a coping strategy for their difficulties, indicating their inability to address these issues or find solutions This suggests that these challenges may exceed their comprehension capabilities regarding reading strategies in the texts.
In interviews with seven students, it became clear that while they possess reading comprehension knowledge, they struggle to effectively utilize suitable reading strategies To address their understanding of reading texts, it is crucial for students to collaborate and share strategies Since one student may find it challenging to tackle comprehension issues alone, group discussions can lead to more effective problem-solving Additionally, if students encounter difficulties, they should feel encouraged to seek assistance from their teachers, who are always willing to provide support and solutions for improving reading comprehension.
This chapter presents the findings from questionnaires and interviews aimed at addressing the three research questions The results highlight the necessity of investigating reading comprehension strategies and emphasize the importance of enhancing students' abilities to effectively utilize these strategies.
Chapter Five will present the conclusions and implications to students and teachers in learning and teaching in order to better students' learning process.