College and University Extensive reading closes the gap between IELTS scores & study abroad dreams more

Thu, Aug 10, 14:45-15:20 Asia/Tokyo

University students wishing to study abroad need to meet minimum language proficiency levels on tests such as IELTS. Japanese students have struggled to meet these minimum levels despite wanting to study abroad. To address this issue, ten Japanese students who wished to study abroad participated in an extensive reading project for one academic year to improve their IELTS reading scores. Extensive reading was monitored through use of a daily reading log and journal. Participants had full autonomy to choose reading material, but were also provided with a subscription to the Xreading online graded reader library. Participants took the IELTS test twice during the year. Seven of the participants obtained IELTS reading scores of 5.5 or higher, and six obtained overall band scores of 5.5 or more by the end of the year. Extensive reading helped bring participants’ dream of studying abroad closer, but this was dependent on the amount read.