Philippine E-Journals

Reading Speed as Correlate for Reading Comprehension of College Freshmen Students

Ramil S. Bulilan

 

Abstract:

Reading is for communication and inseparable with comprehension. Without comprehension, reading becomes meaningless. However, comprehension can be affected by lots of factors. In this study, speed was primarily presumed as such. Thus, it sampled 234 freshmen of Bohol Island State University, Clarin, Bohol, Philippines. The study utilized descriptive-correlational survey method which specifically gathered respondent’s preferred communication skills, attitudes towards reading, levels of comprehension, difference among attitudes towards reading, and the correlation between speed and comprehension. In determining reading proficiency, speed and comprehension tests were made. Results showed that in comprehension, respondents from the College of Teacher Education were very good readers, and only good readers were from the College of Technology and Allied Sciences. Respondents’ uncertain attitude towards reading was manifested in their strong preference of listening than reading. Most of them found difficulty in dealing with higher order comprehension skills. Respondents were below average in speed and only good in comprehension. It showed a highly significant difference on their attitudes towards reading. Furthermore, their speed and comprehension were correlated, which means that comprehension was dependent upon their speed; hence, that the slower they read, the poorer they comprehend.