Improving the Reading Performance of Grade 7 Students through Adopt a Reader Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Reading is a skill essential for man to survive. It connects man to the world and even to himself. We learn through reading. We live through reading. We develop ourselves through reading. Moreover, we discover, improve, erase ignorance, and widen our perspectives in life through it.

METHODS

The purposive sampling was used in this research. Only students who need immediate attention were chosen. Respondents were selected according to the results of the reading pre-test previously administered. This study focused on 11 grades 7 students who have a poor reading performance.

RESULTS

It was found that the duration of an intervention does not necessarily affect its outcome. In fact, intensive interventions of a short duration may be an efficient approach. The researcher used the “Adopt a Reader Program” as a strategy to enhance students' reading skills. As observed, these students perform poorly in every subject area. After the intervention, the number of slow readers and the frequency of mispronunciations decreased. Their verbal reading speed also increased. The reading levels of 8 pupils improved from under “frustration” to “instructional”.

DISCUSSIONS

Peer Reading has been proven effective, and for sure, having teachers as reading partners will even better the result. It is clear that those who struggle with reading need to be taught better. This needs to be addressed considering that reading, as a skill, is not a matter that affects the English subject only, but all subject areas. The more a student reads, the greater the chances that he or she will recognize words. Teachers may apply the program during the English month celebration or even the whole school year. Implementing the program among elementary and secondary schools and encouraging all teachers to take part are essential. This prevents the advancement of students who can hardly read and just passing the problem on to their next teachers. Other researchers may improve on or use this study for their own research.