Investigating EFL Reading Strategies and Reading Comprehension

Investigating EFL Reading Strategies and Reading Comprehension

This study aims to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading strategies (global, problem-solving, and support) and comprehension (low, intermediate, and high) among high school students in Korea. Specifically, the study examines: (1) the most widely used reading strategies by EFL students, (2) any difference existing between male and female students for three reading strategies, (3) any difference in reading strategiesexisting among three comprehension levels, and (4) any gender-related difference existing among three comprehension levels for reading strategies. 1,475 students (699 male and 776 female) from two high schools in Korea participated in this study. The Survey of Reading Strategies (SORS) by Mokhtari and Reichard (2002) was used as the instrument for collecting data on the use of reading strategies and reading comprehension. The results indicated that students had the highest preference for problem-solving strategies, followed by global and support strategies. Female students used EFL reading strategies significantly more frequently than male students, particularly global and support strategies. Furthermore, there was a significant difference across three comprehension levels in reading strategies overall and by gender. The paper concludes with discussion of implications for the use of EFL reading strategies.