The Effect of Overlapping waves strategy to Enhance Reading Comprehension among Iraqi EFL Preparatory School Students

Abstract

Reading comprehension skill stands out as a pivotal component of linguistic competence. On the other hand, the continuous development of pedagogical strategies plays a vital role in enhancing students' academic performance. Given the challenges faced by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in Iraq, numerous strategies have emerged, including the Overlapping Waves Strategy. Accordingly, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Overlapping Waves Strategy in enhancing reading comprehension among preparatory school students in Iraq .To achieve the objective of the study, a random sample of (90) female students was selected from the fourth-grade (scientific branch) in Diyala Governorate for the academic year 2025-2026. The sample was randomly distributed into two groups: (A) The Experimental Group: Consisting of (45) students who studied according to the Overlapping Waves Strategy, (B) The Control Group: Consisting of (45) students who studied according to the conventional method. In addition, a pilot sample of (25) students was selected from another school in the same governorate. The researcher designed the Pre-test and Post-test as the primary tools for the study. The two groups were equalized across relevant variables, and all collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. The results revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups, in favor of the experimental group.