School Student perceptions of an after-school extensive reading program more

Thu, Aug 10, 17:15-17:50 Asia/Tokyo

Extensive reading (ER) plays an important role in Indonesian high schools as it supports the National School Literacy Movement and improves students' English skills. However, ER-based activities during school hours mostly rely on the 15-minute silent reading at the beginning of the day. This study describes a piece of research carried out in seven high schools in Java and Bali into students’ perceptions of after-school ER programs. Arranged by ER enthusiasts in the Indonesian Extensive Reading Association (IERA), this program explores fifty-eight students’ perceptions of the reading materials and the follow-up activities through an online questionnaire. The findings of the survey found that composing acrostic poems based on the book they read was the most interesting among other ER-based follow-up activities. Another finding revealed that the students expressed a more positive attitude towards ER which is enjoyable, inspiring, and entertaining. Pedagogical implications will also be discussed.