• Dr. Shivani Singh

This pilot study explores the impact of reading habits in English on the self-concept of secondary school students in Jharkhand. The self-concept of students is an important aspect of their psychological well-being and academic achievement. As English proficiency becomes increasingly essential for academic and professional success, understanding how reading habits influence students' self-perception and confidence in their academic abilities is crucial. This research investigates the relationship between the frequency of English reading, the type of reading materials, and students' self-concept in secondary schools across urban and rural areas of Jharkhand. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 200 secondary school students. The survey assessed the frequency of English reading habits, types of materials read, and students’ self-reported levels of self-esteem and academic confidence. The qualitative interviews provided deeper insights into how students perceive the impact of reading habits on their self-concept. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between regular English reading and higher self-concept scores, particularly in terms of academic confidence and self-esteem. Students from higher socio-economic backgrounds and urban areas demonstrated better reading habits and higher self-concept. Conversely, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and rural areas faced challenges such as limited access to English reading materials, which hindered their self-concept development. Gender differences also emerged, with female students showing stronger reading habits but slightly lower self-concept compared to their male counterparts. The study concludes that fostering regular English reading habits can significantly improve students' self-concept, with implications for both academic achievement and personal growth. Recommendations are made for policy interventions to ensure equal access to English reading resources, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged regions, and for targeted programs to enhance self-concept among female students.

Reading habits, self-concept, secondary school students, Jharkhand, socio-economic status, academic achievement, gender differences.

"PILOT STUDY ON IMPACT OF READING HABITS IN ENGLISH ON SELF-CONCEPT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN JHARKHAND", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no.j557-j565, March-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503970.pdf

"PILOT STUDY ON IMPACT OF READING HABITS IN ENGLISH ON SELF-CONCEPT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN JHARKHAND", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 3, page no. ppj557-j565, March-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2503970.pdf