TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP STRATEGY USE AMONG GOOD AND POOR READERS IN EFL READING COMPREHENSION

This study revealed the readers’ use of top-down and bottom-up strategies in EFL learning context in Taiwan. The participants, 111 undergraduates EFL learners, were classified into good and poor readers. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire and interviews. The results showed that almost no difference was confirmed between good and poor readers in bottom-up and total strategy use, whereas it was found that good readers tended to use more top-down strategies than poor readers. It is suggested that both groups of readers use bottom-up strategies to a similar degree; however, the use of top-down strategies has helped good readers advance their level of reading comprehension.  Article visualizations