Use of online english-language newspapers to enhance reading comprehension and reading self-efficacy of Thai undergraduate students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of utilizing online English-language newspapers in developing reading comprehension and reading self-efficacy of Thai undergraduate students. The participants in the study were 91 undergraduate students, and they were divided into two groups, high-proficiency and low-proficiency groups based on their final exam scores from their last English course. The experiment involved eight sessions, both groups were assigned to read online English-language newspapers as well as work on related reading comprehension exercises. All participants were pre, while, and post-tested on their English reading comprehension and were also asked to complete pre, while, and post-administered reading self-efficacy questionnaires. The results demonstrated that the use of online English-language newspapers enhanced the participants' reading comprehension for both high-proficiency and low-proficiency groups. The participants in both groups also rated themselves on the post-administered questionnaire with a significantly higher level than the pre-administered questionnaire of reading self-efficacy. Considering the conclusion of the study, language teachers are encouraged to implement online English-language newspapers as reading materials to develop student's reading comprehension and increase students' reading self-efficacy, language teachers can use these findings as a guide to help them design and select instructional materials to teach reading comprehension. © 2020 Asian E F L Journal Press. All rights reserved.