The Benefits of extensive reading in ELT

Mgr. Mária Kredátusová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The aim of this thesis is to present an alternative approach to intensive reading, an approach that will not focus on exact translation of the text but that stresses the pleasure of reading - Extensive reading. Extensive reading involves students in reading large quantities of books at the level appropriate for them; only one to two words per page should be unknown to a reader. The primary goal of Extensive reading is reading in order to gain information and to enjoy texts. A variety of books that cover various topics are provided and students choose titles according to their interests. Students who find a book difficult or not interesting might stop reading and choose another book instead. Their reading is based on choice and purpose that are the basic elements of real-life reading (Bamford, Extensive Reading Activities 1). No exercises, no questions at the end of the chapter, and no looking up every word in a dictionary are required. “It is the kind of reading highly literate people do all the time” (Krashen, Power of Reading 1). The theoretical backgroung of Extensive reading and its implementation into teaching process are decsribed. Further a long-term project and research are presented.

Keywords

Extensive reading, ELT, a reader, a teacher, intensive reading, motivation, pleasure, information, fluency, vocabulary acquisition, library, reading material, Instant Book Report, monitoring

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 5. 2007

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 19. 6. 2007
• Supervisor: Mgr. Naděžda Vojtková

Masaryk University

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Specialization in Education / Lower Secondary School Teacher Training in Foreign Languages - English