The Effect of YouTube Educational Videos on Reading Comprehension in EFL Classroom

This study examines the effect of YouTube educational videos on students’ reading comprehension in an EFL classroom. A quantitative quasi-experimental design was implemented involving 74 twelfth-grade students of SMAN 5 Kaur, divided into an experimental class and a control class. The experimental group received reading instruction supported by YouTube educational videos, while the control group was taught through conventional methods. Reading comprehension tests were administered as pre-tests and post-tests to measure improvement. The results showed that the experimental group achieved a significant increase in reading comprehension scores from 62.97 to 91.08, whereas the control group improved from 60.54 to 75.14. The Wilcoxon test further confirmed a significant difference in post-test scores between both groups (p = 0.000), indicating that the use of YouTube educational videos had a more substantial impact than traditional teaching. These findings suggest that video-based learning enhances students’ understanding by providing visual support, clearer explanations, and increased engagement during reading activities.