College and University Extensive reading for reluctant readers at university in Vietnam more

Wed, Aug 9, 11:10-12:30 Asia/Tokyo

Reluctant readers are probably one of the most problematic issues for reading instructors and English language teachers. Fortunately, research has found a positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and reading achievement (Wigfield, Gladstone & Turci, 2016). In other words, if reluctant readers are intrinsically motivated, their reading performance will improve. This study examines the effectiveness of extensive reading as a strategy to motivate reluctant EFL readers to read. The subjects were English-major students at a university in Vietnam. The experimental group had an extensive reading program for three months while the control group just followed the usual English program. A reading motivation questionnaire adapted from Schutte & Malouff (2007) was delivered to the participants before and after the treatment. Pre-tests and post-tests were used to measure their reading fluency. The questionnaire data indicate that by the end of the extensive reading program, most of the students in the experimental group had positively changed their attitudes towards reading. The results of the pre-test and post-test show that their reading performance improved significantly. These findings suggest that extensive reading can motivate reluctant readers and enhance their reading fluency to a great extent.