FACTORS AFFECTING ENGLISH READING COMPREHENSION COMPETENCES OF FIRST-YEAR ENGLISH-MAJORED STUDENTS AT NAM CAN THO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM
Abstract
English reading comprehension is a fundamental skill for English major students, especially first-year students in the transition period to the university academic environment. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the reading comprehension ability of first-year English major students at Nam Can Tho University and suggest possible solutions to solve their difficulties. The study focuses on four main factors, including vocabulary, background knowledge, grammatical competence and reading strategies based on the constructivist reading comprehension theory. A mixed-method research design was used, including a survey of 130 students and semi-structured interviews with 10 students to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The results indicated that limited academic vocabulary, lack of background knowledge, poor grammar comprehension and ineffective application of reading strategies were the main barriers affecting students’ reading comprehension competences. In addition, limited reading habits and access to appropriate reading materials were also important factors. From these results, the study proposed some pedagogical orientations to improve reading comprehension skills and enhance students' self-learning ability.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i9.6180
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