Increasing the Level of interest and Reading Comprehension Skills of Grade 7 Students of Quezon National High School through Project HELP (Hasain, Engganyuhin, at Linangin ang Pagbasa) ng mga Mag-aaral

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Reading sharpens the intellect of a person; however, this is one of the macro skills that is often neglected by students. Based on observation, many students focus much of their interest in playing different gadgets and in using social media platforms. Although they may have oral fluency, the results of Grade 7 PHIL-IRI test are very alarming because most of their reading comprehension scores fall under frustration level. This study developed and implemented the PROJECT HELP, a reading intervention program, to help increase the interest and comprehension levels of students in reading.

METHODS

This study used a descriptive research design. The participants of the study were determined using the purposive sampling technique. A group of forty-five (45) Grade 7 students of QNHS for school year 2017-2018 were asked to participate. The Reader Self-Reflection Scale 2 to determine students' interest in reading and the PHIL-IRI to determine the reading comprehension levels of students were used in the pre and post-test activities. T-test for dependent samples was used to determine if there is a significant difference between the pre and post-test scores of students before and after the application of the intervention program.

RESULTS

The results of the pre-test show that there is a low level of interest and low level of reading comprehension among the participants before the implementation of PROJECT HELP. After the implementation, there was an increase in the interest level and comprehension level in reading. There is a significant difference between the scores of the participants in their interest and comprehension levels in reading before and after the application of PROJECT HELP. It may be concluded that students' reading comprehension level may improve if their reading interest level will likewise be improved. It is very important to regularly give students time to read things they enjoy most and to give them a chance to share their thoughts with their classmates.

DISCUSSIONS

Project HELP helped in increasing students' level of interest and level of comprehension in reading. This project may be used to a more diverse pool of students or to students of higher-grade levels to see its greater impact and reliability.