Extensive Reading (Kalpana Bhandari)

Extensive Reading

Kalpana Bhandari

Department of English

 Reading is one of the four skills and the most important part of language learning. It is the complex cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meanings. It is a means of language acquisition, communication and sharing information and ideas.

Extensive Reading (ER) is an approach to second language reading. When learners read extensively, they read very easy, enjoyable books to build reading skill. Reading, despite being one of the four major skills of language learning, is one of the skills that is most neglected by language learners. It is reading as much as possible for your own pleasure. Free reading, or book flood plays a significant role in foreign language learning. It is rapidly reading book after book. It is reading a large volume of text where reading confidence and reading fluency are prioritized.

The main goal of Extensive Reading (ER) is to develop good reading habits early on so that students can more easily handle academic text before they get digital devices. There is one saying related to ER: When you read slowly one word at a time, as you are doing now, it is easy to understand the meaning of each word, but it is very difficult to understand the real meaning of the text’. So reading by scanning is most preferable in ER

There are various characteristics of Extensive ReadingThe reading material is easy. A variety of material on a wide range of topics is available. Students select what they want to read. Learners read as much as possible. Reading speed is usually faster. Reading is individual and silent. Reading is its own reward. Extensive reading is practiced for information and general understanding. It helps to develop reading skills and increases fluency. The readers relax and enjoy it. It builds confidence as well.

There are countless benefits of extensive reading. Students become better reader.  Students learn more vocabulary.  Written skill as well as creativity is improved. Overall language competence is improved. They become more motivated to read. Improvement in language proficiency. Improvement in overall aspect of language learning i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing.

 We can promote reading culture in various ways. We should have a variety of books available for low level readers- comics, series books etc. Survey among kids about their reading interests is extremely necessary. It is also beneficial to talk about reading with colleagues and students.  Extend library hours for reading. Read even short pieces, such as newspaper articles. Arrange the books in order from simple to complex. Arrange the books for small kids in low level so that they can easily reach.