A Study on Undergraduate Students’ Reading Strategies in EFL Context

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the reading strategies used by EFL undergraduate students. In addition, the aim of this study is to learn more about the characteristics of EFL academic reading strategies to help EFL undergraduate students understand EFL academic reading comprehension. This research requires interviews to get answers to the research objectives. So, this study uses qualitative methods using a sample of 10 EFL undergraduate students. 10 of them are 5 men and 5 women who are currently taking their 4th semester at the Islamic University of Malang. The research findings revealed that the participants typically used scanning, skimming, and summarizing strategies to improve their reading comprehension. Scanning involves searching for specific information by focusing on the first sentence of each paragraph and keywords. Skimming, on the other hand, involves quickly understanding the main idea of a text by first reading the title. Summarizing techniques are used to condense information and better understand the overall content of the text. Although the findings do not explicitly mention the limitations of the study, future research may explore these aspects. In addition, future research could focus on investigating the use of reading strategies especially among undergraduate EFL students using a qualitative methods or mixed methods design. Further research could also explore the impact of reading strategies on other factors related to EFL Academic Reading Comprehension, such as reading ability, general English proficiency, and attitudes toward English. In conclusion, this study found that EFL undergraduate students utilized scanning, skimming, and summarizing strategies in their reading activities. These strategies are effective in quickly capturing main ideas, finding specific information, and consolidating understanding. The participants' opinions further supported the effectiveness of this strategy in improving their reading comprehension. By developing a repertoire of effective reading strategies, students can become more confident and capable readers.

Keywords: Reading Strategies, Undergraduate Students, Scanning, Skimming, Summarizing