Explorations in English Learning
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): June

Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension through the RAPQ (Read-Ask-Put-Question) Technique

Siti Maemunah (Universitas Hamzanwadi)
St. Ayu Surayya (Universitas Hamzanwadi)
Zukhruf Farizi (Universitas Hamzanwadi)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jul 2025

Abstract

This classroom action research aimed to improve the reading comprehension skills of eighth-grade EFL students by implementing the Read-Ask-Put-Question (RAPQ) technique at SMP NW Gelanggang during the 2024–2025 academic year. The research followed the standard planning, acting, observing, and reflecting cycle. Seventeen students participated in a one-cycle intervention that integrated the RAPQ technique into regular reading instruction. The technique involved four structured stages: reading the text, identifying and asking about the main idea, paraphrasing the idea using the students’ words, and generating and answering comprehension questions. Data were collected using pre-test and post-test assessments, supported by classroom observations and field notes. Quantitative results showed a significant improvement in students’ reading performance, with the mean score increasing from 8.18 to 17.29. A paired-sample t-test confirmed that this improvement was statistically significant (t (16) = -9.877, p < .001). The results indicate that the RAPQ technique fosters more active, strategic reading by encouraging comprehension monitoring and textual engagement. The study concludes that RAPQ is a practical, student-centered strategy for enhancing reading comprehension in lower secondary EFL contexts, particularly where students have previously relied on teacher-dominated instruction.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

exel

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Explorations in English Learning (EXEL) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes high-quality English language education research focusing on EFL and ESL contexts. Issued biannually in June and December with e-ISSN 3124-5242, the journal welcomes contributions on various topics, ...