The impacts of the reading environment on EFL learners’ reading comprehension: A study at Thu Dau Mot University

Abstract

The study is aimed at examining the impacts of the reading environment on ELF learners’ reading comprehension. To achieve this objective, the study was conducted at Thu Dau Mot University (TDMU) with the participation of 129 English majors and 19 teachers of English, who returned questionnaires and were interviewed on a voluntary basis. The findings show that EFL learners’ reading comprehension is significantly influenced by the reading environment. If they read in the unorganized or uncontrolled environments where the atmosphere is noisy or they find it comfortable, e.g., at home, in bed room, or on public transports, they will have problems about comprehension. Therefore, the role of teachers is to let EFL learners read in the organized or controlled environments. In addition, more quiet reading spaces should be built for EFL learners because they can have high comprehension when reading in such places.