On the Relationship between Creative Problem Solving Skill and EFL Reading Comprehension Ability

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between Creative Problem Solving (CPS) skill of Iranian secondary school students and their reading comprehension ability. The sample of participants included 70 second grade students randomly selected among secondary school students. The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking was used to measure CPS. Also, a valid and reliable teacher-made reading comprehension test was applied to asses reading comprehension ability of the participants. The results indicated that there was a positively significant correlation between reading comprehension ability and CPS skill. Among the sub-components of CPS, elaboration and originality revealed positively significant correlation with reading comprehension. Furthermore, the findings suggested a dire need of accommodating creativity and CPS techniques and activities in EFL materials, text book. Teaching creativity is highly recommended as a prerequisite for every kind of learning including foreign language learning.