An Investigation into Iranian EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension Problems and the Tentative Solutions: Learners’ Perceptions in Focus

The present study set out to explore Iranian EFL learners' Reading Comprehension Problems (RCPs) and the tentative solutions for such problems from learners' perspectives. The participants included 20 female EFL learners within the age range of 18 to 28 studying at the intermediate level of language proficiency at Safir language institute in Tehran. The participants were selected based on convenience sampling. In order to collect the data, semi-structured interviews were held. The interviews were recorded and then to analyze the collected data, content analysis was employed. The results of data analyses indicated that vocabulary knowledge, text origination, grammar, limited time and anxiety were the problems of reading comprehension mentioned by participants. Learners offered four solutions for their RCPs including: working more on vocabulary, improving grammar, teachers' help for anxious students and teachers' offering more time for learners to read. EFL teachers are encouraged to take the RCPs into account while dealing with reading texts and tasks.