The purpose of this study is to research middle school student`s reading problems and to suggest how to improve their reading competence through the use of the cooperative learning. For this research, we proposed three research questions of study as below. First, what difference is there in English reading competence between pretest and post test? Second, what different is there in the English reading competence according to gender? Third, what difference is there in the English reading competence according to English proficiency? The subject of a sample survey was 37 second graders of an middle school in Kwangju. The students had been taught through cooperative learning for 10 weeks. The data needed for this study was obtained by the questionnaires with 25 questions about the English reading. The data analyzing method was t-test through the statistics program SPSS 12.0. Based on the result of this study, cooperative learning approach was effective in improving the students` reading competence. Studying English reading through cooperative learning led the students to be present in classes with interests. In conclusion, it is necessary to develop various cooperative activities in concordance with Korean students` interests and proficiency.