Authors

Christian Jay M. Valdez*
Mariano Marcos State University
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Email: cmvaldez@mmsu.edu.ph

Jahnese D. Asuncion
Mariano Marcos State University
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Email: jdasuncion@mmsu.edu.ph

Abstract

This study examined reading attitudes and habits of 197 junior high school students in Laoag City, Philippines, using a descriptive design with quantitative surveys and qualitative teacher interviews across five attitude dimensions (motivation, confidence, value, enjoyment, approach) and four habit dimensions (strategies, frequency, environment, time allocation). Results revealed positive attitudes, particularly valuing reading’s importance and demonstrating confidence. However, critical deficits emerged: limited metacognitive strategy use (M = 2.59–3.09), weak goal-setting behaviors (M = 2.98), minimal leisure reading engagement (M = 2.90), insufficient advanced organizational techniques like concept mapping (M = 2.55) and note-taking (M = 2.61), predominantly academic-driven reading frequency with thirteen of sixteen indicators below 3.00, and severe time management deficiencies with sixteen of seventeen indicators below 3.00. Five implications emerged: (1) implement explicit metacognitive strategy instruction; (2) integrate goal-setting scaffolds within interest-based programs; (3) teach systematic documentation practices; (4) develop voluntary reading cultivation programs; and (5) establish structured time management systems. These evidence-based interventions address the Philippine literacy crisis by targeting specific deficits while leveraging students’ existing positive attitudes.

Keywords: Reading attitudes, reading habits, junior high school students, literacy instruction, metacognitive strategies, leisure reading

*Corresponding author
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0501767

Recommended citation:
Valdez, C. J. M., & Asuncion, J. D. (2026). Implications of the reading attitudes and habits of junior high school students in a laboratory high school in Laoag City, Philippines for reading instruction enhancement. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (1), 8518-8525. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0501767

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