Implementing Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) technique to improve tenth-grade students’ reading comprehension

Education First (2022) and the British Council (2015) claim that there is a lack of reading culture among the population, affecting both English and their native language. Reading comprehension skills development is, therefore, crucial for EFL students since it allows them to access primary sources, expand their vocabulary and language proficiency, succeed academically, and foster lifelong learning and personal development. Thus, EFL teachers should focus on improving their students' reading skills to increase their English language competency (Casco and Mayorga, 2021). For this reason, the current study sought to investigate how the Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) technique affected the reading comprehension abilities of tenth-grade students at a public high school in Cuenca, Ecuador. The present study employed both quantitative and qualitative tools within an Exploratory Action Research framework. This included diagnostic and summative tests and written reflections, collected before and after the CIRC intervention. The research found that the CIRC technique significantly improved reading comprehension and motivated students. Cooperative methods, such as the CIRC technique, enhance reading comprehension, communication, critical thinking, academic skills, and peer-social connections, making it a valuable tool for educators.