The Impact of Innovative Reading Comprehension Strategies on Reading Literacy of Slovak EFL Learners

Abstract

The importance of reading skills is undeniable since this skill is regarded as one of the vital ones in both academic sphere and personal lives of learners. However, relevant research and practice reveals that learners’ reading comprehension is often at a low level, exhibiting a declining tendency as regards reading literary. This article, therefore, attempts to contribute towards what is already known in this area by exploring the effects of the selected innovative reading strategies and techniques on the development of reading literacy of Slovak EFL learners. A quasi-experiment was conducted, testing being the primary research method. The research sample was formed by altogether 24 ninth grade learners who were divided into the control and experimental groups. Although the calculated p-value (0.14), which compared the pre-test and post-test reading scores of learners in the experimental group that was taught by means of the selected reading strategies and techniques does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference, the achieved scores after the intervention can be regarded as promising and encouraging. This may be because only after one month intervention, participants’ literacy level increased by 9%, indicating that regularity of improving reading comprehension can possibly result in achieving higher level of reading literacy. Finally, it is also suggested that Teachers can better plan lessons which involve active reading, discussions, and critical thinking, thus developing overall reading skills of EFL learners.