Fostering Academic Reading Proficiency through Independent Learning in a Higher Education Context

Information from the abstract

Academic reading proficiency is essential for academic and professional development in higher education, as it enables individuals to access, comprehend, and critically engage with scholarly resources. However, empirical evidence on the effectiveness of structured independent learning programs for improving academic reading proficiency among higher education learners remains limited, particularly in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an independent learning program in fostering academic reading proficiency among participants in a higher education context. This study involved 26 participants from a university in Jakarta. A quantitative pre-experimental design employing a pre-test and post-test approach was used to assess participants’ reading performance before and after the intervention. The program provided flexible and self-paced learning opportunities through guided academic reading materials and structured learning activities. Data were collected from reading assessment scores and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using descriptive statistics and a paired-samples t-test to determine the extent of improvement. The findings revealed a positive increase in participants’ academic reading proficiency following their participation in the independent learning program, indicating enhanced comprehension of academic texts and improved reading performance. The paired-samples t-test indicated that the improvement was statistically significant, t([df] = [t-value], p < .05 and Cohen’s d = X. These results suggest that independent learning can be an effective strategy for developing academic reading skills among adult learners in higher education settings. The study underscores the importance of self-directed learning in supporting continuous professional development and academic literacy while offering a flexible and sustainable approach to English language improvement.

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Related topics: EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · English Language Learning and Teaching · Reading and Literacy Development