L2 Reading During Higher Education in Colombia

Abstract

The results of a diagnostic L2 reading test applied to first-semester students at a higher education institution in Colombia demonstrated that most of the population entered the university with a lower reading comprehension level than the required for the entrance to tertiary education. According to MEN. The results gathered were categorized taking into account the CEFR levels (B2, B1, A2, A1, and –A1). This test’s results revealed that the 85% of the evaluated population was classified at level A1; the 35% was placed at level A2; and the last 8% was classified at level –A1; on the other hand, there were no students placed in the higher levels (B1, B2). It is observed that most of the participants were place in level A1, according to the CEFR, which means that these students lack the required standards to start college studies, regarding L2 reading skills. In order to face this situation, some university professors in this context were also observed with the intention of identifying the positive practices in terms of reading comprehension and the chances to improve.