Lingedu Journal of Linguistics and Education
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): LINGEDU: JOURNAL OF LINGUISTICS AND EDUCATION

Investigating Students’ Problems in Understanding English Reading Texts

anhar anhar (UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH MAKASSAR)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Apr 2026

Abstract

Understanding English reading texts is a critical skill for secondary‑school learners, yet many students encounter persistent difficulties that impede academic success. This study investigates the specific problems faced by Indonesian senior high‑school students when reading English narrative and expository texts. A mixed‑methods design was employed: a questionnaire (N = 210) identified the frequency of comprehension obstacles, and semi‑structured interviews (n = 12) explored underlying causes. Quantitative results revealed that limited vocabulary, insufficient inferencing skills, and low metacognitive awareness were the most prevalent issues (p < .01). Qualitative analysis highlighted gaps in prior knowledge, ineffective reading strategies, and limited exposure to authentic texts. Findings suggest that incorporating multimodal resources and mobile‑learning (M‑learning) platforms can alleviate these problems. Implications for curriculum design and teacher training are discussed.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

lingedu

Publisher

Subject

Description

Lingedu Journal of Linguistics and Education (p-ISSN: XXXX , e-ISSN: 3163-429X ) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes high-quality scholarly works focusing on English education and linguistics to develop 21st-century skills among school learners, with a particular emphasis on the ...