“Reading comprehension in EFL young learners”
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-08
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecuador : Pujilí : Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC)
Abstract
Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill in second language acquisition, especially for young learners speaking English as a foreign language (EFL). The present study, “Reading Comprehension in Young EFL Learners,” focuses on understanding children’s comprehension at the four established levels: literal, interpretive, critical, and creative. The main objective is to analyze the reading comprehension level of young EFL learners from the Calvario neighborhood of Guaytacama, which emerged from the community service practices of “Escuelas populares de Inglés.” The research adopts a quantitative and descriptive approach. A questionnaire was designed based on an adapted Cambridge reading questionnaire, composed of ten items classified according to the four aforementioned levels of comprehension. The results are categorized into performance levels such as high, medium, and low. The sample consisted of 40 students who take English classes at the “Salvando Vidas” Christian Center. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that students performed best at the literal and creative levels, demonstrating skills in recalling explicit information and expressing ideas imaginatively. In contrast, the interpretive level was moderate, and the critical level presented the lowest results, suggesting difficulties in inference and evaluative thinking. The findings also underscore the need for teachers to implement specific strategies that strengthen complex thinking, especially at the interpretive and critical levels. It is recommended that motivation and engagement be fostered through reading strategies that progressively strengthen comprehension at all levels, thus contributing to long-term academic success.
Description
Keywords
READING COMPREHENSION LEVELS, EFL STUDENTS, PERFORMANCE LEVELS, CAMBRIDGE EVALUATION
Citation
Guerra Taipe, Adriana Gabriela y Marquez Garcia, Camila Milena (2025); “Reading comprehension in EFL young learners”. UTC. Pujilí. 50 p.