The Power of Extensive Reading in Language Learning and Teaching
How reading builds confidence, motivation, and (of course) language skills.
Read loads, and your second language will improve loads.
Extensive reading – the idea of reading a lot, for pleasure, and for general understanding – is one of the best things you can get your students to do. It lets students explore language in a way that’s natural, enjoyable, and non-pressured.
Less pressure, more fun, better language learning.
Let’s look at what makes extensive reading effective, how it’s different from intensive reading, and top tips to make it work in your classroom.
Why is extensive reading effective for language learning?
Because it keeps things simple.
Instead of stopping to pick apart every word, students read just for meaning, which builds confidence and helps language “stick.”
Students start to understand language in context, and pick up vocabulary and grammar naturally, almost without realising it. Over time, they read faster, feel more fluent, and actually look forward to reading more (shock!).
It’s like language learning by osmosis – lots of exposure, no pressure, and a natural boost in confidence and skills. What’s not to love?
What is extensive reading (and how’s it different from intensive reading)?
Extensive reading is about quantity, while intensive is about depth.
In extensive reading, students choose their own material and read broadly. The key is volume and enjoyment, not analysis. They read for general understanding and pleasure, so they’re not looking up every word or worrying about fine details.
Compare this with intensive reading: here, we’re usually studying shorter, more difficult texts in detail, focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and structure.
Extensive reading is low-pressure and student-led, while intensive reading is about digging into language specifics, often guided by the teacher.
The benefits and drawbacks of extensive reading
Benefits
Grows vocabulary – Students encounter words and phrases naturally, which helps them learn and remember new language in context.
Improves reading fluency – The more students read, the faster and more accurately they can process language.
Increases motivation – Students get to choose what they read, which makes reading feel less like a chore and more like something fun.
Builds cultural knowledge – Stories or articles introduce students to the culture behind the language, which adds depth to their learning.
Drawbacks
Resource needs – You’ll need a range of books at different levels, which can be a challenge to organise or source. Finding books at the right level can be tough.
Student resistance – Some students may struggle with this initially, especially if they’re used to intensive reading and think “skimming” is cheating.
With a patient approach, though, you can turn sceptic students into extensive reading fans.
How do we know extensive reading works?
Loads of studies support it.
Extensive reading isn’t just for building reading skills; it’s a foundation for all language development. As students read, they start to understand grammar and vocabulary in context, which helps with writing, speaking, and listening too.
For example, Mason and Krashen (1997) found that Japanese university students who engaged in extensive reading with only minimal checking by a teacher, made significant gains in reading skills.
Renandya, Sundara Rajan, and Jacobs (1999) looked at adult Vietnamese learners, and found that the volume of reading was the strongest predictor of language gains.
Liu and Zhang (2018) conducted a meta-analysis confirming extensive reading’s significant impact on vocabulary acquisition over short periods like one semester.
Aaaaaand there’s lots more, but I won’t bore you with them here.
How to encourage extensive reading in your classroom
Getting students into extensive reading can take a little effort, but once they’re hooked, you’ll see amazing progress. Here’s how to get them started:
Offer a variety of reading options – A good range of books, magazines, comics, and articles at different levels is key. Mix it up with fiction, non-fiction, online and offline.
Let them choose – Give students the freedom to pick what they want to read. Choice is powerful, and when they’re reading what they like, they’re more likely to stick with it.
Set small goals – Encourage students to aim for a certain number of pages or books each month. Celebrate progress to keep momentum going.
Make reading social – Create a classroom “book club” where students discuss what they’re reading. It’s a low-pressure way to share, and they’ll get ideas from each other.
These strategies make reading feel less like a task and more like fun.
The teacher’s role in extensive reading
As a teacher, your role is to support, not control, extensive reading. You’re there to offer encouragement, recommend books, and create an environment that makes reading enjoyable. Some ways to do this include:
Building a mini-library – If possible, have a range of reading materials available, or set up digital options.
Setting the tone – Share your own reading experiences and favourite books. Students are more likely to read if they see it as something enjoyable, not just another task.
Providing gentle guidance – Help students find books that are suitable but not too difficult. Sometimes just nudging them towards a particular genre can make all the difference.
In essence, your role is to build a reading-friendly environment and offer help when needed – the rest is up to them.
‘Assessing’ extensive reading in class
Assessing extensive reading doesn’t need to be formal – in fact, it’s better if it’s not. Here are a few ideas:
Reading journals – Students can jot down interesting vocabulary, summarise chapters, or share thoughts on their reading.
Book presentations – A quick share with the class can help gauge understanding and spark interest in different books.
Casual check-ins – Chat with students individually about what they’re reading. It’s a simple way to see if they’re engaged and enjoying the experience.
This type of assessment is easy to manage and keeps the focus on the fun of reading.
Conclusion
Extensive reading is underrated but highly effective for language learning.
It’s a way for students to engage with language naturally, with no pressure or tests.. So if you create a culture of reading in your classroom, you’re setting your students up for long-term success. So, get your students reading – a little at first, and then more as they gain confidence.
You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
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Whilst I agree with completely that reading widely and extensively will improve your “language “ skills, it is important to recognise that there may be no or little crossover to spoken skills.
There are people who are completely native like in reading skills but couldn’t speak to save themselves. The reality is that speaking skills operates from a different part of the brain to reading skills.
The skills required to speak require you to learn so many things that reading does not require and then to speak extensively etc etc. Without that those skills will just not develop.
Somebody who speaks well will be helped by reading.
However, someone who does not will not be.
I really enjoyed reading this. I’m looking to begin a career in research and want to lead a study looking at writing instruction and the way it helps build proficiency because there’s limited research on it.
Many teachers still believe that reading widely leads to better writing but I’m increasingly finding - both in my classroom and in what I read - that clever, explicit instruction of writing skills is the key and that extensive reading isn’t enough to do that on its own.
What you say here seems to back that up - there are a range of benefits to extensive reading in children and they are more about exposing them to new vocabulary than writing strategies. I hope I’ve read into your post correctly on that point?
I’d love to discuss with you some of the research you have explored into how reading extensively supports children’s language learning because I think it would be an important element of the research I wish to carry out.
Thanks for a great post and for promoting reading in this way!