Analysis of Challenges and Factors Affecting Critical Reading Abilities of English Major Students
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Abstract
The purposes of this research were to investigate the challenges pertaining to the critical reading abilities of English major students, the factors affecting these students’ critical reading abilities, and approaches to enhance their critical reading abilities. The sample group in this study consisted of 125 English major students in their 3rd and 4th years. Purposive sampling and volunteer sampling techniques were applied to select the participants of this study. The research instruments consisted of a critical reading test, a questionnaire, and an interview. The quantitative data were then analyzed by percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that the students’ critical reading abilities were at a low level (59.13%). Among the five major areas of critical reading abilities, the students scored the lowest in “Evaluating and judging the context” and “Making inferences”. Besides, the factors affecting the students’ critical reading abilities, at a .05 significance level appeared to have been reading techniques and motivation. As a result, the effective approaches to nurture the students’ critical reading abilities should incorporate reading techniques, promote a growth mindset, and consider the role of the instructors as well as motivation and the students’ attitudes.
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