What is Extensive Reading?

What is Extensive Reading?
Richard R. Day
This is the first in a series of articles on extensive reading. The focus of this article is the
nature of extensive reading. Future articles will cover such topics as how to put extensive
reading into a course or a curriculum, orderingbooks and setting up a library, and activities.
Extensive reading is based on the well-established premise that we learn to read by
reading. This is true for learning to read ourfirst language as well as foreign languages. In
teaching foreign language reading,an extensive reading approach allows students to read, read,
and read some more.
When EFL students read extensively, they become fluent readers. But there is more.
Studies have established that EFL students increase their vocabulary, and become better writers.
We also know that reading extensively helps increase oral fluency—listening and speaking
abilities. Finally, students who read a lot develop positive attitudes toward reading and
increased motivation to study the foreign language. So there are some excellent reasons for
having EFL students reading extensively.