Literature Circles as a Strategy in Literary Comprehension

This study determined the effect of Literature Circles in enhancing the level of competency in literary comprehension of the Grade 9 students of St. Paul University Surigao. It specifically assessed the level of competency, the implementation of the strategy, significant difference in the pre-test and post-test between the control group and experimental group, the perceptions of the students and the insights of the teacher in the usage of the strategy. Anchored on Reader-Response Theory and Collaborative Learning, the study employed a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design. Findings revealed that students in the experimental group showed significant improvement in literary comprehension in Quarter 2 but no significant difference in Quarter 3, attributed to content complexity and implementation challenges. Qualitative data showed that Literature Circles promote engagement, peer learning, and analytical thinking, despite issues such as uneven participation and time constraints. The study concluded that Literature Circles is an effective strategy when applied with appropriate content and guided structure. It is recommended that integrating varied reading strategies and conducting further research on sustainable comprehension approaches.