Teachers’ Implementation of Vocabulary-Building Strategies: Its Influence on Learners’ Reading Comprehension
Emma S. Requina | Jeany Fe O. Burato | Amie R. Libay | Mary Grace S. Galos | Rachel L. Bernaldez | Weena Mae G Ampo
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
Reading comprehension is a fundamental skill essential for
learners’ academic success; however, many elementary pupils experience
difficulties due to limited vocabulary knowledge, indicating a gap between
vocabulary instruction practices and learners’ comprehension outcomes.
This study examined the relationship between teachers’ implementation of
vocabulary-building strategies and learners’ reading comprehension in
selected public elementary schools in Candijay District, Bohol. A descriptivecorrelational
research design was employed, involving 298 respondents,
comprising 13 teachers and 285 Grade 4–6 learners. Data were gathered using
a 40-item questionnaire adapted from Mehmood et al. (2025) and the
Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI). Weighted Mean and
Spearman’s rho were used for data analysis. Results revealed that teachers
consistently implemented vocabulary-building strategies, with an overall
composite mean of 3.64, interpreted as “Always/Highly Practiced,” while
metacognitive strategies had the highest mean (WM = 3.71). Findings also
revealed that 75.08% of learners were at the independent reading
comprehension level. Furthermore, a strong positive significant relationship
was identified between vocabulary-building strategies and reading
comprehension (ρ = 0.602, p < 0.001), leading to the rejection of the null
hypothesis. These findings suggest that the effective and consistent
implementation of vocabulary-building strategies is significantly associated
with improved learners’ reading comprehension. Hence, it is recommended
that teachers intensify structured and interactive vocabulary instruction to
further enhance literacy outcomes among elementary learners.
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