Extensive reading What is it? Why bother?

Julian Bamford Bunkyo University Richard R. Day University of Hawaii

Published on May 1997

 What is Extensive Reading? Intensive Reading and Extensive Reading The characteristics of successful Extensive Reading programs The barrier of student in reading and solution The advantage of Extensive Reading

What is extensive reading?

Extensive reading, what is it?

Bamford and Day (1997), states Extensive Reading is read widely and in quantity. The pioneers of ER are Harold Palmer and Michael West differentiate between intensive reading and extensive reading.

Intensive Reading and Extensive Reading

Harold Palmer: about ER and IR

IR= careful reading, like introduce and practice reading skills ER= reading large amount to do the bottomup, reading for pleasure, read self selected material.

West: about ER and IR

IR=student do not read very much, student will not become fluent readers, make teachers focus on students ability to read ER=in this approach there are many activities that form by ER : the main focus of a reading course it self, an odd-on to an ongoing reading course, and extracurricular activity, that are refers to key elements of real life reading as choice and purpose

The characteristics of successful Extensive Reading programs

The characteristics found in successful ER programs:

Read as much as possible. A variety of materials is available Select the material what want to read The purposes of read: for pleasure, information and general understanding Reading is its own reward Reading materials are well within the linguistic competence of the students Reading is individual and silent Reading speed is usually faster rather than slower Teachers orient students to the goals of the program The teacher is a role model.

The barrier of student in reading and solution

Some of the learner of foreign language has the language barrier:

The use of dictionary

So, what is the solution?

ER is the best solution, how come?

The materials suitable to the level. Not use dictionary. Just to find out the general meaning.

The advantage of Extensive Reading

The advantages of ER:

The learner can build automaticity of word recognition Build vocabulary knowledge and develop positive attitudes toward reading The reading material must be well within the students' linguistic ability.