Abstract:
This study explores the effectiveness of free reading as a pre-reading strategy to improve secondary school students' English reading comprehension. The main issue raised was students' low motivation and reading skills. The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of free reading on reading comprehension and the challenges students face. The methodology used was a qualitative approach, involving tenth grade students and a teacher. Data was collected through observation, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. The results showed that free reading increased students' motivation and focus, and improved their comprehension of the text. The study concluded that free reading is effective in building positive reading habits. The recommendation from this study is for educators to integrate free reading in the curriculum and provide support in selecting appropriate reading materials to create a better learning environment.
