Willingness to Read in Class and Outside Class, Reading Anxiety, and Comprehension of Korean EFL College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold: to examine whether and to what extent reading anxiety is associated with Korean EFL college students’ willingness to read (WTR) in and outside class; and to investigate whether and to what extent WTR inside, and outside class are related to reading comprehension in English. Participants included 108 undergraduate students. Simple regression and standard multiple regression using SPSS reveal two major findings: First, Korean college students are more affected with anxiety when they are willing to try read in English outside class than inside; second, students who willingly try to read English outside class are better at reading comprehension than those who are more willing to read inside class. The results of the study suggest that instructors need to be aware of EFL students