NAVIGATING THE HURDLES OF TOEFL READING COMPREHENSION: INSIGHTS FROM UNIVERSITAS NEGERI GORONTALO
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Abstract
This study aims to identify and overcome the challenges faced by students at Universitas Negeri Gorontalo in the TOEFL reading comprehension section. Despite extensive research on TOEFL reading comprehension, there remains a gap in practical, context-specific interventions tailored to Indonesian EFL learners. This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to address this gap. First, a needs analysis was conducted through surveys and interviews to identify key difficulties. Subsequently, various instructional strategies, including vocabulary enhancement and reading strategy training, were implemented and evaluated. The results indicate that targeted interventions significantly improve students' reading comprehension skills. The findings contribute to the broader field of language education by providing practical solutions for educators and students to navigate the hurdles of TOEFL reading comprehension.Keywords: TOEFL, reading comprehension, vocabulary mastery, instructional strategies, EFL learners, Indonesian context.
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References
Ardiyanto, F. R. (2024). The Influence of Students’ Vocabulary Mastery Toward Their TOEFL Reading Comprehension Achievement. Edudikara: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 9(1), 37-44.
Badu, H. (2020). Students’ ability in reading TOEFL. Jambura Journal of English Teaching and Literature, 1(2), 89-100.
Baghaei, S., Bagheri, M. S., & Yamini, M. (2020). Analysis of IELTS and TOEFL reading and listening tests in terms of Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Cogent Education, 7(1), 1720939.
Busa, J., & Chung, S. J. (2024). The Effects of Teacher-Centered and Student-Centered Approaches in TOEIC Reading Instruction. Education Sciences, 14(2), 181.
Darmawan, R. N. (2022). A Correlational Study between Listening, Structure, and Reading Comprehension of TOEFL. Journal of Language, Communication, and Tourism, 1(1), 20-29.
Destiyanti, C., Amin, M., & Putera, L. J. (2021). Gender-Based Analysis of Students’ Ability in Answering Factual and Vocabulary-in-Context Questions of the TOEFL-Like Reading Comprehension Test. PALAPA, 9(1), 1-17.
Fahmi, A., Mukminatien, N., Ginting, D., & Kusumaningrum, S. R. (2024). The impact of flipping class intervention on reading comprehension: Different approaches and proficiency levels. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0305041.
Fauzia, W. I., Kemal, E., & Syafar, D. N. (2024). Difficulties of English Study Program Students to Answer the Reading Comprehension TOEFL. Journal Polingua: Scientific Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Language Education, 13(1), 11-14.
Fitria, T. N. (2024). Question Types on Reading Comprehension in TOEFL Test: An Implication in Teaching Reading TOEFL to Students. Journal of English and Education (JEE), 41-54.
Girsang, A. L., Marbun, F. V. G., Turnip, Y. A. M., & Saragih, E. (2019). An analysis of reading comprehension difficulties in TOEFL test by high school students. Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal, 3(1), 132-137.
Hafid, N., Purnawarman, P., & Sukyadi, D. (2021, March). Investigating Constraints and Strategies Faced by the Non-English Students in Answering Reading Comprehension TOEFL Test. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Progressive Education, ICOPE 2020, 16-17 October 2020, Universitas Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.
Hendrik, H. (2024). Students’ difficulties in understanding the TOEFL reading test of English language education study program at IAIN Palopo (Doctoral dissertation, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Palopo).
Herman, H., Sinaga, Y. K., & Simatupang, G. E. (2024). An Investigation to the Students’ Difficulties in the Skills of Reading Comprehension at TOEFL Proficiency Subject. Bulletin of Science Education, 4(2), 40-48.
Hsieh, C. N. (2024). Building a Validity Argument for the TOEFL Junior® Tests. ETS Research Report Series.
Husain, B., Wardiman, S. S., Purnawarman, P., & Abasa, Z. (2024). Blended learning intervention on the students’ reading comprehension achievement with different personality traits. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 9(1), 28-38.
Ismail, N. M., & Fata, I. A. (2021). Improving reading TOEFL score through note taking strategy. Al-Ta lim Journal, 28(1), 46-54.
Ivanova, R., & Ivanov, A. (2021). Online Reading Skills as an Object of Testing in International English Exams (IELTS, TOEFL, CAE). International Journal of Instruction, 14(4), 713-732.
Jaelani, S. R., Wathoni, H., Purnama, B., Harianto, H., & Wadi, S. (2022). The students’ ability in reading comprehension of TOEFL test for The EFL learners. JSHP: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Dan Pendidikan, 6(1), 60-66.
Kasim, U., Mustafa, F., & Putra, T. M. (2020). Reading Comprehension in the TOEFL PBT: Which Sub-Skill Deserves More Intensive Training?. TESOL International Journal, 15(1), 53-64.
Khairul, K., Ernati, E., Tavriyanti, L., & Farensha, H. (2024). students’ ability to answer comprehesion questions on TOEFL-like test. Jurnal Review Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (JRPP), 7(3), 9288-9293.
Kurniawati, A., & Fitrawati, F. (2020). An Analysis of Students’ Ability in Comprehending TOEFL Reading Test at English Department Universitas Negeri Padang. Journal of English Language Teaching, 9(3), 593-598.
Li, J. T., Tong, F., Irby, B. J., Lara-Alecio, R., & Rivera, H. (2024). The effects of four instructional strategies on English learners’ English reading comprehension: A meta-analysis. Language Teaching Research, 28(1), 231-252.
Mawarni, A., & Usman, M. (2022). Students’ Opinion towards the Use of Skimming and Scanning Techniques for TOEFL in Reading Comprehension. English LAnguage Study and TEaching, 3(2), 1-8.
Natrio, Y., Suryani, M. S., & Sariani, S. (2024). Student's Issues Depicted through TOEFL Score Test: A Case Study in Medical Laboratory Technology of X University in Padang. ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(1), 1-6.
Nazri, M. A., & Wijaya, H. (2020, May). EFL students’ ability in answering TOEFL reading comprehension section. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1539, No. 1, p. 012044). IOP Publishing.
Nejati, R. (2024). The Place of Self-efficacy and Self-regulation in Reading Comprehension in Online Classes. International Journal of Research in English Education, 9(2), 90-104.
Nuraini, S., Trisnawati, W., & Kurniawan, R. (2022). An analysis of English education department students' ability in TOEFL reading comprehension. Journal Of Language Education and Development, 5(1), 1-11.
Oranpattanachai, P. (2023). Relationship between the Reading Strategy, Reading Self-Efficacy, and Reading Comprehension of Thai EFL Students. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(1), 194-220.
Pora, W., Sain, Y., & Muflihun, M. (2024). An Analysis of EFL Students’ Strategies to Achieve High Score in TOEFL Listening Comprehension. Mataoleo: Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 1(1), 56-68.
Purba, D., Panjaitan, J., & Pardede, D. L. (2024). Problems found on the TOEFL test questions by the fifth semester physics students of Darma Agung University. Jurnal Darma Agung, 32(2), 576-582.
Rina, P., & Tiarina, Y. (2021). An analysis of English department students' difficulties in answering TOEFL test of listening comprehension. Journal of English Language Teaching, 10(1), 28-35.
Rumahorbo, L. D., Damanik, N. Y., Hutahaean, R. I., Manurung, N. G., Sianturi, O., Sinaga, Y. K., ... & Sirait, E. M. (2024). The Students’ Perception Toward TOEFL Test At SMA Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar. Pengabdian Masyarakat Sumber Daya Unggul, 2(1), 31-38.
Sailuddin, S. P. (2022). The Effectiveness of TOEFL Preparation Course to Improve Students’ Reading Comprehension. EDU Journal-English Department of UMMU Journal, 2(2), 46-52.
Samad, I. A., Jannah, M., & Fitriani, S. S. (2017). EFL students’ strategies dealing with common difficulties in TOEFL reading comprehension section. International Journal of Language Education, 1(1), 29-36.
Sayın, A. (2024). Evaluating the Psychometric Characteristics of Generated Visual Reading Comprehension Items. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 13(2), 380-395.
Setyowati, M., Latifa, A. K., Pratiwi, E., & Mabagits, S. (2020, May). Student’s Vocabulary Mastery on TOEFL Test: Does It Correlate with Reading Comprehension?. In International Conference on English Language Teaching (ICONELT 2019) (pp. 245-249). Atlantis Press.
Sherina Sania, S. (2023). The Correlation of EFL Students’ Metacognitive Awareness of TOEFL Reading Comprehension Strategies and Their TOEFL Reading Comprehension Scores (Doctoral dissertation, UIN AR-RANIRY).
Sinaga, D. P., Harahap, N. H., & Tampubolon, M. (2024). An analysis on thematic progression patterns of reading comprehension TOEFL prediction texts. Cendikia: Media Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 14(5), 522-529.
Syahputra, F. P., Perangin-Angin, A. B., & Nasution, E. H. (2024). Evaluating English listening comprehension subject for sustainable EFL learning in Indonesia. In Inclusive, Sustainable, and Transformational Education in Arts and Literature (pp. 120-127). Routledge.
Syakir, S., & Suhendar, B. (2022). Pengaruh Pengajaran Academic Vocabulary Terhadap Skor TOEFL Reading Comprehension Mahasiswa Program Beasiswa FEB USAKTI Semester Dua Tahun Akademik 2017-2018. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Konseling (JPDK), 4(6), 7065-7076.
Toroujeni, S. M. H. (2022). Computerized testing in reading comprehension skill: investigating score interchangeability, item review, age and gender stereotypes, ICT literacy and computer attitudes. Education and Information Technologies, 27(2), 1771-1810.
Ukhrowi, W. (2024). Gender Issues On Toefl ITP Score: A Case Study. EDUJ: English Education Journal, 2(1), 51-56.
Usman, N., Hendrik, H., & Madehang, M. (2024). Difficulties in Understanding the TOEFL Reading Test of English Language Education Study Program at University. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 12(1), 755-773.
Wahyuningsih, C., Mahbub, M. A., & Al Fauzi, F. (2024). Exploring Students' Difficulties in Answering Reading TOEFL Section Test. Linguapedia, 8(1), 41-49.
Wathoni, H., Purnama, B., Harianto, H., Wadi, A. S., Jaelani, S. R., & Ningsih, B. S. (2022). Analysis on EFL learners’ capability in mastering TOEFL test on reading comprehension. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 5(1), 114-119.
Wibowo, V. G. (2024). The Correlation Between English Department Students' Grammar Scores And Their TOEFL Grammar Scores (Students Of English Department Academic Year-2018 UIN Ar-Raniry) (Doctoral dissertation, UIN Ar-Raniry Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan).
Wicaksono, A., & Jatmiko, J. (2024). The high achievers’strategies in answering reading comprehension in TOEFL. Cendikia: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengajaran, 2(9), 100-105.
Yoshimura, F. (2024). Effectiveness of Academic English Instruction on EFL Academic Reading Comprehension and Self-efficacy. 東北学院大学論集. English language & literature, (107), 129-151.
Zalha, F. B., Alfiatunnur, A., & Kamil, C. A. T. (2020). Strategies in dealing with the reading section of ‘TOEFL prediction’: A case of Aceh EFL learners. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education), 7(2), 159-171.
Zarnis, Y., Septiana, T. I., & Trisanti, O. L. (2021). Analysis of students’ problems on the reading section of TOEFL. ELT Echo: The Journal of English Language Teaching in Foreign Language Context, 6(1), 139-154.
Badu, H. (2020). Students’ ability in reading TOEFL. Jambura Journal of English Teaching and Literature, 1(2), 89-100.
Baghaei, S., Bagheri, M. S., & Yamini, M. (2020). Analysis of IELTS and TOEFL reading and listening tests in terms of Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Cogent Education, 7(1), 1720939.
Busa, J., & Chung, S. J. (2024). The Effects of Teacher-Centered and Student-Centered Approaches in TOEIC Reading Instruction. Education Sciences, 14(2), 181.
Darmawan, R. N. (2022). A Correlational Study between Listening, Structure, and Reading Comprehension of TOEFL. Journal of Language, Communication, and Tourism, 1(1), 20-29.
Destiyanti, C., Amin, M., & Putera, L. J. (2021). Gender-Based Analysis of Students’ Ability in Answering Factual and Vocabulary-in-Context Questions of the TOEFL-Like Reading Comprehension Test. PALAPA, 9(1), 1-17.
Fahmi, A., Mukminatien, N., Ginting, D., & Kusumaningrum, S. R. (2024). The impact of flipping class intervention on reading comprehension: Different approaches and proficiency levels. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0305041.
Fauzia, W. I., Kemal, E., & Syafar, D. N. (2024). Difficulties of English Study Program Students to Answer the Reading Comprehension TOEFL. Journal Polingua: Scientific Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Language Education, 13(1), 11-14.
Fitria, T. N. (2024). Question Types on Reading Comprehension in TOEFL Test: An Implication in Teaching Reading TOEFL to Students. Journal of English and Education (JEE), 41-54.
Girsang, A. L., Marbun, F. V. G., Turnip, Y. A. M., & Saragih, E. (2019). An analysis of reading comprehension difficulties in TOEFL test by high school students. Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal, 3(1), 132-137.
Hafid, N., Purnawarman, P., & Sukyadi, D. (2021, March). Investigating Constraints and Strategies Faced by the Non-English Students in Answering Reading Comprehension TOEFL Test. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Progressive Education, ICOPE 2020, 16-17 October 2020, Universitas Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.
Hendrik, H. (2024). Students’ difficulties in understanding the TOEFL reading test of English language education study program at IAIN Palopo (Doctoral dissertation, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Palopo).
Herman, H., Sinaga, Y. K., & Simatupang, G. E. (2024). An Investigation to the Students’ Difficulties in the Skills of Reading Comprehension at TOEFL Proficiency Subject. Bulletin of Science Education, 4(2), 40-48.
Hsieh, C. N. (2024). Building a Validity Argument for the TOEFL Junior® Tests. ETS Research Report Series.
Husain, B., Wardiman, S. S., Purnawarman, P., & Abasa, Z. (2024). Blended learning intervention on the students’ reading comprehension achievement with different personality traits. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 9(1), 28-38.
Ismail, N. M., & Fata, I. A. (2021). Improving reading TOEFL score through note taking strategy. Al-Ta lim Journal, 28(1), 46-54.
Ivanova, R., & Ivanov, A. (2021). Online Reading Skills as an Object of Testing in International English Exams (IELTS, TOEFL, CAE). International Journal of Instruction, 14(4), 713-732.
Jaelani, S. R., Wathoni, H., Purnama, B., Harianto, H., & Wadi, S. (2022). The students’ ability in reading comprehension of TOEFL test for The EFL learners. JSHP: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Dan Pendidikan, 6(1), 60-66.
Kasim, U., Mustafa, F., & Putra, T. M. (2020). Reading Comprehension in the TOEFL PBT: Which Sub-Skill Deserves More Intensive Training?. TESOL International Journal, 15(1), 53-64.
Khairul, K., Ernati, E., Tavriyanti, L., & Farensha, H. (2024). students’ ability to answer comprehesion questions on TOEFL-like test. Jurnal Review Pendidikan dan Pengajaran (JRPP), 7(3), 9288-9293.
Kurniawati, A., & Fitrawati, F. (2020). An Analysis of Students’ Ability in Comprehending TOEFL Reading Test at English Department Universitas Negeri Padang. Journal of English Language Teaching, 9(3), 593-598.
Li, J. T., Tong, F., Irby, B. J., Lara-Alecio, R., & Rivera, H. (2024). The effects of four instructional strategies on English learners’ English reading comprehension: A meta-analysis. Language Teaching Research, 28(1), 231-252.
Mawarni, A., & Usman, M. (2022). Students’ Opinion towards the Use of Skimming and Scanning Techniques for TOEFL in Reading Comprehension. English LAnguage Study and TEaching, 3(2), 1-8.
Natrio, Y., Suryani, M. S., & Sariani, S. (2024). Student's Issues Depicted through TOEFL Score Test: A Case Study in Medical Laboratory Technology of X University in Padang. ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(1), 1-6.
Nazri, M. A., & Wijaya, H. (2020, May). EFL students’ ability in answering TOEFL reading comprehension section. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1539, No. 1, p. 012044). IOP Publishing.
Nejati, R. (2024). The Place of Self-efficacy and Self-regulation in Reading Comprehension in Online Classes. International Journal of Research in English Education, 9(2), 90-104.
Nuraini, S., Trisnawati, W., & Kurniawan, R. (2022). An analysis of English education department students' ability in TOEFL reading comprehension. Journal Of Language Education and Development, 5(1), 1-11.
Oranpattanachai, P. (2023). Relationship between the Reading Strategy, Reading Self-Efficacy, and Reading Comprehension of Thai EFL Students. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(1), 194-220.
Pora, W., Sain, Y., & Muflihun, M. (2024). An Analysis of EFL Students’ Strategies to Achieve High Score in TOEFL Listening Comprehension. Mataoleo: Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 1(1), 56-68.
Purba, D., Panjaitan, J., & Pardede, D. L. (2024). Problems found on the TOEFL test questions by the fifth semester physics students of Darma Agung University. Jurnal Darma Agung, 32(2), 576-582.
Rina, P., & Tiarina, Y. (2021). An analysis of English department students' difficulties in answering TOEFL test of listening comprehension. Journal of English Language Teaching, 10(1), 28-35.
Rumahorbo, L. D., Damanik, N. Y., Hutahaean, R. I., Manurung, N. G., Sianturi, O., Sinaga, Y. K., ... & Sirait, E. M. (2024). The Students’ Perception Toward TOEFL Test At SMA Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar. Pengabdian Masyarakat Sumber Daya Unggul, 2(1), 31-38.
Sailuddin, S. P. (2022). The Effectiveness of TOEFL Preparation Course to Improve Students’ Reading Comprehension. EDU Journal-English Department of UMMU Journal, 2(2), 46-52.
Samad, I. A., Jannah, M., & Fitriani, S. S. (2017). EFL students’ strategies dealing with common difficulties in TOEFL reading comprehension section. International Journal of Language Education, 1(1), 29-36.
Sayın, A. (2024). Evaluating the Psychometric Characteristics of Generated Visual Reading Comprehension Items. Bartın University Journal of Faculty of Education, 13(2), 380-395.
Setyowati, M., Latifa, A. K., Pratiwi, E., & Mabagits, S. (2020, May). Student’s Vocabulary Mastery on TOEFL Test: Does It Correlate with Reading Comprehension?. In International Conference on English Language Teaching (ICONELT 2019) (pp. 245-249). Atlantis Press.
Sherina Sania, S. (2023). The Correlation of EFL Students’ Metacognitive Awareness of TOEFL Reading Comprehension Strategies and Their TOEFL Reading Comprehension Scores (Doctoral dissertation, UIN AR-RANIRY).
Sinaga, D. P., Harahap, N. H., & Tampubolon, M. (2024). An analysis on thematic progression patterns of reading comprehension TOEFL prediction texts. Cendikia: Media Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 14(5), 522-529.
Syahputra, F. P., Perangin-Angin, A. B., & Nasution, E. H. (2024). Evaluating English listening comprehension subject for sustainable EFL learning in Indonesia. In Inclusive, Sustainable, and Transformational Education in Arts and Literature (pp. 120-127). Routledge.
Syakir, S., & Suhendar, B. (2022). Pengaruh Pengajaran Academic Vocabulary Terhadap Skor TOEFL Reading Comprehension Mahasiswa Program Beasiswa FEB USAKTI Semester Dua Tahun Akademik 2017-2018. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Konseling (JPDK), 4(6), 7065-7076.
Toroujeni, S. M. H. (2022). Computerized testing in reading comprehension skill: investigating score interchangeability, item review, age and gender stereotypes, ICT literacy and computer attitudes. Education and Information Technologies, 27(2), 1771-1810.
Ukhrowi, W. (2024). Gender Issues On Toefl ITP Score: A Case Study. EDUJ: English Education Journal, 2(1), 51-56.
Usman, N., Hendrik, H., & Madehang, M. (2024). Difficulties in Understanding the TOEFL Reading Test of English Language Education Study Program at University. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 12(1), 755-773.
Wahyuningsih, C., Mahbub, M. A., & Al Fauzi, F. (2024). Exploring Students' Difficulties in Answering Reading TOEFL Section Test. Linguapedia, 8(1), 41-49.
Wathoni, H., Purnama, B., Harianto, H., Wadi, A. S., Jaelani, S. R., & Ningsih, B. S. (2022). Analysis on EFL learners’ capability in mastering TOEFL test on reading comprehension. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 5(1), 114-119.
Wibowo, V. G. (2024). The Correlation Between English Department Students' Grammar Scores And Their TOEFL Grammar Scores (Students Of English Department Academic Year-2018 UIN Ar-Raniry) (Doctoral dissertation, UIN Ar-Raniry Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan).
Wicaksono, A., & Jatmiko, J. (2024). The high achievers’strategies in answering reading comprehension in TOEFL. Cendikia: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengajaran, 2(9), 100-105.
Yoshimura, F. (2024). Effectiveness of Academic English Instruction on EFL Academic Reading Comprehension and Self-efficacy. 東北学院大学論集. English language & literature, (107), 129-151.
Zalha, F. B., Alfiatunnur, A., & Kamil, C. A. T. (2020). Strategies in dealing with the reading section of ‘TOEFL prediction’: A case of Aceh EFL learners. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education), 7(2), 159-171.
Zarnis, Y., Septiana, T. I., & Trisanti, O. L. (2021). Analysis of students’ problems on the reading section of TOEFL. ELT Echo: The Journal of English Language Teaching in Foreign Language Context, 6(1), 139-154.