Free Translated Passages as Precursor in Enhancing the Reading Comprehension Level of Grade Nine Learners

Reading comprehension is among the essential reading skills students must acquire before advancing to the next stage of their education in the current technological era. Despite its importance, many students still struggle with the said macro skill. This study utilized a pre-experimental research design, specifically a group pre-test and post-test research design, to examine further the effect of the Free Translated Passages using the Free Translation Method as a guide to uncover possible improvements in the reading comprehension level of the Grade 9 learners under frustration level. The content-validated and adapted-modified instrument was administered in every class discussion of each topic. Scores from 30 students were analysed using a paired sample t-test to determine the significant differences in reading comprehension levels before and after the intervention. The results revealed that the Free Translated Passages using the Free Translation Method had both positive and negative impacts on the components of the students’ reading comprehension. These concluded that the Free Translated Passages using the Free Translation Method had significantly improved students’ vocabulary, literal comprehension, and inferential comprehension. However, in terms of inferential comprehension, more practice and drills are expected to be executed to help them improve in inferencing. Hence, administration and teachers of secondary schools may consider the use of other Free Translated Passages using the Free Translation Method to also improve students’ other reading comprehension components. They may also employ other ways of crafting a new set of passages that students might be more interested and engaged in reading.