IMPROVING STUDENTS’ EXTENSIVE READING SKILLS AT A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NAM DINH: AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT

Abstract

The current study aimed at investigating the effects of collaborative learning activities on students’ extensive reading skills and EFL students’ perceptions towards the use of collaborative learning in students’ extensive reading learning. To obtain research objectives, the researcher adopted an eight-week action research project with the quantitative method. 25 Grade 8 students from a lower secondary school were selected as the research participants. Two research instruments utilized for data collection included pre-test and posttest and questionnaire. Data analysis revealed the following research findings: 1) There was an increase in score of students’ extensive reading tests after using collaborative learning as the treatment; 2) Students expressed their positive perceptions towards the use of collaborative learning to promote students’ extensive reading skills; and 3) Students tended to use collaborative learning activities in their further extensive reading learning. Research findings generated the implications for the effective use of collaborative learning activities to promote students’ extensive reading skills and overall reading competence.