2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 17
Available Online: 13 July 2026
Author/s:
Guzman, Rodel B.
Isabela State University, Philippines (rodel.b.guzman@isu.edu.ph)
Abstract:
Reading is an essential language and life skill that significantly impacts the personal, social, and economic development of an individual and society at large. Often viewed as a gateway to infinite knowledge, reading warrants rigorous academic study. This descriptive-correlational research assessed the reading comprehension levels and reading skills of selected college students. The participants were predominantly female, aged 20 to 21, native Tagalog speakers, and possessed substantial reading experience. The findings revealed that while the students generally demonstrated a satisfactory level of reading comprehension, their critical and interpretative dimensions were low and their specific reading skills were poor. Statistically, female students and those with high reading engagement exhibited significantly higher comprehension levels than their peers. Conversely, no significant differences in comprehension were found when participants were grouped by age and first language. Regarding specific reading skills—particularly categorizing ideas and information, and interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and tables—older female students and those with frequent reading engagement scored higher. Finally, the study established a significant positive correlation between reading skills and reading comprehension. The findings of this study corroborate existing literature on reading comprehension and literacy research within the country. Pedagogically, these results underscore a critical, glaring need to address deficits in reading skills and comprehension, even at the collegiate level. To mitigate these gaps, multimodal literacy instruction may be intentionally and systematically integrated into the higher education curriculum. Furthermore, targeted reading assessments and classroom activities must shift away from simple, low-level recall questions toward fostering higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) ensuring that the appropriate art of questioning is given emphasis. Finally, academic institutions may actively cultivate a robust and positive culture of reading among students to sustain long-term literacy development.
Keywords: reading, reading skills, comprehension, macro skills, Filipino subject
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26297
Cite this article:
Guzman, R. B. (2026). Pagbasa bilang makrong pangwika: Pagsusuri sa pag-unawa at kasanayan ng piling mag-aaral sa kolehiyo. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(17), 9-23. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26297