Homework REadine
Extensive Reading versus intensive Reading
is an approach to When learners
rea ey read very easy, to build their reading
speed and fluency. Another way to say this is students lean to read by actually
reading rather than examining texts by studying the vocabulary, grammar and
phrases. It is instructive to compare Intensive Reading (IR) with Extensive
Reading,
For many teachers, there is only one way to teach reading which involves the
teacher ggametar cots through a teens The passage is relatively
short and the instruction is focused on care checking comprehension, --
studying the grammar and/or vocabulary, or developing a reading skill.
Texts used for intensive reading are relatively short and introduce vocabulary
and grammar. The reading is followed by comprehension questions and other
activities. Intensive Reading is useful when teaching students new languages.
This type of reading is called Intensive Reading because the leamers study the
reading and check their comprehension. Typically these types of text are used
by the whole class with the teacher guiding them.
:
itis inconvenient, however, having leamers do only or too much Intensive
Reading. The following are some reasons for this:
"= As the reading is relatively difficult, learners have few chances to build
reading speed and fluency.
The reading being relatively short and difficult, the learners read slowly
and they cannot manage a lot of language.
The whole class reads the same material, which is too easy for some
and too difficult for others.
Alll the students have to read at the same’pace as they do the tasks
together.
The reading is interesting to some learners but not others
Extensive Reading gives students giana read longer pieces of reading,
which they choose, which they can read at their own speed and at their own
ability level.
eee enaRetnciveRESOy are complementary and teachers
should use both. A balanced reading program uses Intensive Reading to
introduce new language, and complements this with Extensive Reading which
consolidates and raises awareness of this language leadingrtorreedinestivencyHOMEWORK
READING
INTENSIVE READING EXTENSIVE READING
ing in textbooks Using graded readers
ig New grammar, Fluency, confiderice and
vocabulary, reading skills
Usually a litle more difficult Should be easier than
than learner's level learner's level
Passages are usually short How much do leamers As much as possible;
read? usually a lot
The teacher Each learner
The same reading passage Whatever they choose,
oF text book, magazine usually graded readers.
article, newspaper clipping
decided by the teacher =
In class or at home as. Out of class when and
homework wherever they want
‘Comprehension questions, If at all, through book
exercises, ele. reports, sort summaries,
discussion with teacher,
ate.
Usually itis not always necessary
| Often within the reading Ts key language recycled? | Alot e
passage only
Selecting appropriate materials is important.
Language research shows that learners need to meet words and grammar
patterns many times for them to learn them well. Typically, a new word needs to
be met 10-20 times for it to be learnt forever, and grammar structures such as
the tenses need to be met thousands of times before they are mastered. A
textbook presents language one item at a time, with new language occurring in
each unit. Therefore, textbooks cannot present words and grammar patterns
often enough. Extensive Reading fills this gap by providing opportunities to
deepen and enrich language taught in textbooks. Thus, textbooks and
Extensive Reading must work together. Therefore, Extensive Reading is a
necessary part of a language curriculum,
Research indicates learners reading or listening to a lot of English at or about
their own ability level quickly develop a reading habit and higher levels of
‘motivation for language learning overall
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