Integrating Extensive Reading (ER) into the Freshman Reading Course

What is the new requirement for graduation for all Freshman entering university starting September, 2011?

Beginning academic year, all university students must pass a language proficiency test.

1.Most of you have little confidence in your English ability 2.You avoid English as much as you can; you won’t speak it unless asked to do so by your teacher; you won’t listen to it; you don’t read it on your own and naturally, you won’t use it in writing unless it’s a homework assignment What is the present situation?

3.Many of you will find your English not improving after high school; in fact, it worsens in college; 4.Many of you will have a difficult time passing the graduation language proficiency test; 5.Worst of all, you can’t get your graduation diploma.

A Vicious Circle

How can you solve this problem?

How? by what means?

The best way is to read as much English as possible!

Freshman Reading Course – 2 parts: (1) intensive reading (IR) (2) extensive reading (ER)

Think of it in terms of learning to drive or learning to play tennis driving lessons + practice on the road tennis lessons + practice on the court

Intensive Reading (lessons) + Extensive Reading (practice)

Extensive Reading What is extensive reading (ER)? What is the rationale behind ER? How do you do it? When and where do you do it?

1.Reading longer and easy-to-understand material; 2.Reading is done mostly outside the classroom; 3.Reading is done at one’s own pace and level; 4.Reading material is chosen by the students themselves based on their own interest; hence, another name for extensive reading is “Pleasure Reading” What is Extensive Reading (ER) or Pleasure Reading ? Definition

STUDENT ORIENTATION to Extensive Reading Chart contrasting intensive and extensive reading TYPE OF READINGINTENSIVEEXTENSIVE CLASS GOAL Reading accuratelyRead fluently READING PURPOSE Translate Answer questions Get information Enjoy FOCUS Words and pronunciationMeaning MATERIAL Often difficult Teacher chooses Easy You choose AMOUNT Not muchA lot SPEED SlowerFaster METHOD Must finish Use dictionary Stop if you don’t like it No dictionary

1.Reading skills enhanced; 2.Reading speed (fluency) increased; 3.General language proficiency improved; 4.Attitude toward reading and language learning changed - from “studying” English and “passing tests” to enjoying reading and learning. Why do we need to do Extensive Reading (ER)? Rationale

And, among the 4 language skills, reading is the most essential. And it effects all the other skills…

Reading effects all the other skills Reading Reading comprehension Speaking Vocabulary, grammar Writing (spelling, grammar, etc.) Listening

1.Find out your reading level (test); See chart for level and color scheme; 2.Find a graded reader that interests you (romance, mystery, science fiction, etc.); 3.Read for general understanding, information and pleasure; 4.Follow 5 basic rules; 5.Keep a reading journal/reader’s response log (Online Discussion Forum) How do we go about doing extensive reading? Procedure

Samples of graded readers

More Samples of Graded Readers

Some Samples of Popular Novels

Publishers’ Series by EPER Level (available in PCCU library) EPER LEVEL (headwords) TOEFL TOEFL – ibt TOEIC GEPT CEF PUBLISHER SERIES G Starter (300) A1 F Beginner ( ) A1 E Elementary ( ) 350 A2 D Low Interm ( ) Elementary A2 C Intermediate ( ) Intermediate B1 B Hi Interm ( ) Intermediate B1 A Advanced ( ) Hi-Intermediate B2 X Bridge (3000) Advanced C1 Penguin ReadersLevel 1Level 2 Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 5/6 Oxford Bookworms Black Series StarterStage 1Stage 1-2Stage 2Stage 2-3Stage 3-4Stage 4-5Stage 6 CAMBRIDGE English Readers StarterLevel 1Level 2 Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6 CAMBRIDGE Discovery Readers StarterLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6

EPER LEVEL (headwords) TOEFL TOEFL – ibt TOEIC GEPT CEF PUBLISHER SERIES G Starter (300) A1 F Beginner ( ) A1 E Elementary ( ) 350 A2 D Low Interm ( ) Elementary A2 C Intermediate (1600) Intermediate B1 B Hi Interm (1900) Intermediate B1 A Advanced (2200) Hi-Intermediate B2 X Bridge (3000) Advanced C1 Progressive English Readers Grade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4/5 Longman Originals Stage 1Stage 2 Stage 3Stage 4 Longman Structural Readers Stage 1Stage 1/2Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4Stage 5Stage 5/6 Longman ClassicsStage 1Stage 2/3Stage 4 Compass Classic Readers Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6 HEINEMANN Guided Readers StarterBeginner ElementaryIntermediateUpper

EPER LEVELS (Reader Series headwords) G Starter (300) F Beginner ( ) E Elementary ( ) D Low Interm ( ) C Intermediate ( ) B Hi-Interm ( ) A Advanced ( ) X Bridge (3000) Graded readers with colored labels

Go to the Library Browse through stack to find a book that interests you Browse through stack to find a book that interests you Decide on book and read it in the library Begin reading it everyday; Keeping a log of your reading Begin reading it everyday; Keeping a log of your reading Write the log online in English in the Discussion Forum about the story, character or anything related to the story Write the log online in English in the Discussion Forum about the story, character or anything related to the story minutes min/ 7 days/week Weekly log into Discussion Forum For example: (1)Have you had a similar experience in your lifetime? (2)Do you like the protagonist? Why ? If you find that the book is not interesting, return and find another one. You can choose to borrow books home or read inside the library. What do students do next?

You can borrow graded book from the library, or read inside the library. Read inside library English Extensive Reading Room on 7 th Floor, library building Read inside library English Extensive Reading Room on 7 th Floor, library building Borrow books from library 4 th Floor at Library Building ( Turn left as you get off the elevator) Call No Borrow books from library 4 th Floor at Library Building ( Turn left as you get off the elevator) Call No

BASIC RULES Suggested by Day and Bamford (Forum 38,3, p.17) 1.Select your reading materials based on your interests and reading ability (level). 2.Do NOT use dictionaries. Practice the skills of either guessing at the meanings of unknown words or ignoring them. In other words, use the context to guess the meaning of the unknown word.

3.Do not be concerned with every detail. Keep reading in the face of difficulty and go to get the overall meaning or the gist of the story. 4.It is recommended that you should read 10 graded readers of the same level before you go to the next level. 5.If a book is boring or too hard, stop reading and find another book. The most important thing is to enjoy reading. Another term for extensive reading is “pleasure reading.”

Time: when and for how long? Anytime – between classes, waiting for bus, waiting for someone, weekends and holidays, any spare time; for as long or short a time as you like and as often as possible Location: Anyplace – outside of classes (sometimes, in class), coffee shop, in dorm, at home, etc. When and where do we do ER? Time and Location

Do you remember that vicious circle?

Now, that vicious circle can turn into…

Conclusion

Yes, it’s true. The more you read, the more your chances of passing the language proficiency test sooner!

Also, you will continue enjoying reading and learning on your own for the rest of your life!

You’ll have time for a good laugh and a good cry…

Keep the following in mind…

“You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.” - Charlie Jones