Great reading skills are indispensable for a learner of a foreign language in order to succeed in second language learning. The aim is to be a good reader who is capable of understanding even difficult texts without much effort. Of course, modern life has an effect on pupils’ activities at home so that watching videos or playing computer games can lead to neglect educational activities such as reading books. Of course, there are numerous pupils who really enjoy reading in their leisure time, regarding reading as a hobby. Taking pleasure in an activity generally requires ease and comfort. As second language learning can sometimes be hard and involves a great deal of expense and effort, most pupils have a negative attitude towards reading in a second language. At school, teachers even strengthen students’ antipathy towards reading due to the approach they choose, that is, close and careful examination of difficult, short texts, also known as intensive reading. Another approach to language learning is extensive reading (short: ER) which is rather a less common approach compared to intensive reading. In short, extensive reading refers to the idea that pupils read as many books as possible. They have to be easy to understand so that pupils read them for pleasure. The question now is which of the two approaches contribute most to pupils’ literary skills.
In this paper, my goal is to prove that extensive reading programs are very beneficial to language acquisition, but they are not commonplace due to various constraints imposed on the implementation of extensive reading programs at school.
At first, I will shortly explain what extensive reading really is by giving definitions. In order to achieve this, I will compare extensive reading with intensive reading which is more common in the context of school. Then, I will examine the numerous benefits of extensive reading as well as some obstacles which explain why extensive reading programs are difficult to implement. At the end, I will introduce practical options and possible solutions in terms of implementing extensive reading programs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Extensive Reading Vs. Intensive Reading
- Ten Basic Principles of ER
- Benefits
- Obstacles
- Practical Options And Solutions
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the significant benefits of extensive reading (ER) programs in second language acquisition and to address the challenges hindering their widespread implementation in schools. The paper compares ER with intensive reading, explores the advantages of ER, examines obstacles to its adoption, and proposes practical solutions for integrating ER programs effectively.
- Comparison of Extensive and Intensive Reading Approaches
- Benefits of Extensive Reading for Language Acquisition
- Obstacles to Implementing Extensive Reading Programs
- Practical Solutions for Integrating Extensive Reading
- The Role of the Teacher in Extensive Reading Programs
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of extensive reading (ER) as a valuable approach to second language acquisition, contrasting it with the more traditional intensive reading method. It highlights the importance of reading skills in foreign language learning and emphasizes the often-negative attitudes of students towards reading in a second language, often fostered by intensive reading approaches in schools. The chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining its goal: to demonstrate the benefits of ER programs and the obstacles to their implementation. The author plans to define ER, compare it to intensive reading, explore its benefits and drawbacks, and conclude with practical suggestions for implementation.
Extensive Reading Vs. Intensive Reading: This chapter formally defines extensive reading (ER) by contrasting it with intensive reading. Intensive reading, it argues, is a traditional approach characterized by careful analysis of short, difficult texts, focusing on language rather than content. In contrast, ER emphasizes reading large quantities of easily understandable texts for pleasure and general comprehension, with a focus on meaning over grammatical details. The chapter highlights different perspectives on the role of the teacher in selecting reading materials, with some advocating for student choice and others suggesting teacher guidance to some extent. The chapter establishes the key differences between the two approaches and lays the foundation for understanding the advantages of ER.
Ten Basic Principles of ER: This chapter outlines ten key principles for successful implementation of extensive reading programs, emphasizing the importance of easily accessible texts, learner choice, a focus on reading for pleasure and comprehension, and the teacher's role as a guide and role model. It highlights the importance of avoiding excessive focus on vocabulary or grammar, promoting fluent reading, and fostering a sense of community among students and teachers around the shared experience of reading. These principles provide a practical framework for implementing ER effectively in classrooms.
Keywords
Extensive reading, intensive reading, second language acquisition, language learning, reading comprehension, reading fluency, teacher's role, classroom implementation, benefits of extensive reading, obstacles to extensive reading.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of extensive reading (ER) in second language acquisition. It compares ER to intensive reading, explores its benefits and challenges, and offers practical solutions for implementing ER programs in educational settings.
What are the key themes explored in this preview?
The key themes include a comparison of extensive and intensive reading approaches, the benefits of extensive reading for language acquisition, obstacles to implementing extensive reading programs, practical solutions for integrating extensive reading into classrooms, and the role of the teacher in fostering successful extensive reading programs.
What are the objectives of this document?
The main objective is to demonstrate the significant advantages of extensive reading programs in second language acquisition and to address the challenges that prevent their widespread adoption in schools. It aims to highlight the benefits of ER, discuss the obstacles to its implementation, and suggest practical solutions for effective integration.
How does extensive reading differ from intensive reading?
Extensive reading emphasizes reading large quantities of easily understandable texts for pleasure and general comprehension, focusing on meaning. Intensive reading, conversely, involves careful analysis of short, difficult texts, with a focus on detailed language study rather than overall comprehension.
What are the ten basic principles of extensive reading, as outlined in this preview?
The preview outlines ten key principles for successful extensive reading programs. While the specific principles aren't listed in detail here, they emphasize easily accessible texts, learner choice, reading for pleasure and comprehension, the teacher's role as a guide, avoidance of excessive focus on grammar/vocabulary, promotion of fluent reading, and fostering a sense of community around reading.
What are the benefits of extensive reading for language acquisition?
The preview highlights that extensive reading improves reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and overall language proficiency. It fosters a positive attitude towards reading in the target language. Further details on the specific benefits are provided in the full document.
What are some obstacles to implementing extensive reading programs?
The preview mentions challenges to implementation, but the specifics aren't detailed here. The full document addresses these obstacles, likely including factors such as teacher training, curriculum constraints, material availability, and student resistance.
What practical solutions are suggested for integrating extensive reading?
The preview indicates that practical solutions for integrating extensive reading are offered in the full document. These likely involve strategies for selecting appropriate materials, creating a supportive classroom environment, and adapting teaching methods to accommodate extensive reading practices.
What is the role of the teacher in extensive reading programs?
The teacher's role is crucial. They act as guides and role models, assisting in material selection (depending on the approach), fostering a positive reading environment, and encouraging student engagement. The specific teacher roles are further explained in the full document.
Where can I find more information about this topic?
The full document provides a detailed exploration of all these aspects. The preview provided here serves as a concise summary of its contents.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
Keywords include: Extensive reading, intensive reading, second language acquisition, language learning, reading comprehension, reading fluency, teacher's role, classroom implementation, benefits of extensive reading, obstacles to extensive reading.
- Quote paper
- Ahmet Yildirim (Author), 2014, The Benefits of Extensive Reading for Foreign Language Acquisition, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284053
