English
Tiếng Việt
EXTENSIVE READING program with GRADED READERS
Posted date 18/08/2016
4.105 view
Posted date 18/08/2016
4.105 view
Share:
Lecturer Pham Thi Bich Ngoc _ Faculty of Foreign Languages
What is EXTENSIVE READING?
Extensive Reading (abbreviated as ER) was developed by the Extensive Reading Foundation (EFR, 2011). This is a non-profit organization that aims to support and develop knowledge through reading, which is currently very popular in the UK, US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and several other countries.
ER is not intended to create reading pressure on students, but to help students read more easily, more often and therefore enjoy reading more. The main purpose of ER is to help students improve their reading skills and learn a language through reading. Therefore, reading quickly and fluently is the priority criteria of this activity. In addition, ER also brings many other benefits to readers.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EXTENSIVE READING?
ER exposes students to language in real contexts, and helps them understand how it is actually used, as opposed to how it is in textbooks. Students increase their vocabulary, reading speed and efficiency through more frequent and extensive exposure to the language (English). This is a fundamental prerequisite for students to become more confident and enjoy reading. ER also helps students improve their listening, speaking and writing skills as they become familiar with vocabulary, grammatical structures, different text genres and topics.
BOOKS READING IN THE PROGRAM
Depending on the ability, the reader chooses the book for himself. For those with advanced level, they can choose any story or novel to read. However, for students who are still studying, especially those who are new to English, the stories or novels of the authors are too much.
Therefore, many publishers now provide series of books specifically for the extensive reading program – graded readers. This type of book is written specifically for foreign language learners, including many genres: fiction or non-fiction, and is written concisely. As its name suggests, the book is divided into many levels (grades), usually from 6-8 levels, to suit the understanding ability and vocabulary of many people – from basic to advanced. The plot, vocabulary, grammar and illustrations are all carefully selected by publishers. Graded readers also help you plan your reading. For example, you can plan to read one book a week. This is completely feasible because the book is not too thick (50-100 pages). You also know how many words you read, fast or slow because the covers of these books have the number of headwords printed on them.
GUIDE TO SELECTING DOCUMENTS AND READING
Step 1: Check your level
- Go online to take an online test to classify your level to choose the appropriate stage/level.
- Each publisher has its own test level, so depending on which publisher's book series you choose to read, we choose that publisher's test. Below are some test level links of some famous publishers:
+ Oxford test link: https://elt.oup.com/student/bookwormsleveltest/?cc=vn&selLanguag e=en
+ Pearsonlongman test link:
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/practicereading.html
+ Macmillian test link: http://www.macmillanreaders.com/tests/level-test
+ Penguin test link: http://www.penguinreaders.com/pr/teachers/the-right-reader.html
- If you want to read a mix of books from many publishers, you can take the Extensive Reading Foundation test: https://erfpt.ealps.shinshu-u.ac.jp/pt/conduct
Step 2: Read books
- If you have enough financial means and like to use printed books, you can find books at foreign bookstores on Ba Trieu, Dinh Le, Kim Lien streets, etc.
- If you do not have enough financial conditions and like to use e-books, you can find free book download links, such as:
o http://aj3000.com/wp/free-graded-readers/
or http://english-e-books.net/
o http://www.tusachcuaban.com/2014/12/graded-readers-books-oxford-bookworms.html
o http://www.mediafire.com/download/v46bgcwny8fubb9/Phan+Ng%E1%BB%8Dc+Qu%E1%BB%91c.rar
(Or you can search on google.com.vn with the keyword: graded readers download free
Step 3: Improve your English skills by practicing Listening + Reading
· First, choose a story or a chapter (if the story is long)
· Open the CD and listen 3-5 times to test your ability to understand the main idea.
· Open the book and listen and read at the same time (read aloud, read silently...): 1-2 times
· Underline new words in the book
· Use one of the following methods to learn
* Method 1: Use the steps (Minh – Phai – Sang – Phong – An) in SPA: Imagine and draw Flash Card
* Method 2: Flashcard drawing software such as: Supermemo 2008 (Password: bookstation.org ), Keepinhead,…
· Go back to reading the story, read it aloud and in parallel with the Audio (make sure the intonation, linking sounds are as good as the narrator): Practice until fluent
· Do the assessment exercise at the end of each story
Step 4: Continue studying until you finish the level, then take the test for the next level.
If suitable, you continue studying.
If not suitable, you need to retake this level
*Note: Need to review vocabulary regularly.
Kill two birds with one stone – combine reading, listening, and increasing vocabulary. So what are you waiting for, let’s get started.
Good luck!
Extensive Reading (abbreviated as ER) was developed by the Extensive Reading Foundation (EFR, 2011). This is a non-profit organization that aims to support and develop knowledge through reading, which is currently very popular in the UK, US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and several other countries.
ER is not intended to create reading pressure on students, but to help students read more easily, more often and therefore enjoy reading more. The main purpose of ER is to help students improve their reading skills and learn a language through reading. Therefore, reading quickly and fluently is the priority criteria of this activity. In addition, ER also brings many other benefits to readers.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EXTENSIVE READING?
ER exposes students to language in real contexts, and helps them understand how it is actually used, as opposed to how it is in textbooks. Students increase their vocabulary, reading speed and efficiency through more frequent and extensive exposure to the language (English). This is a fundamental prerequisite for students to become more confident and enjoy reading. ER also helps students improve their listening, speaking and writing skills as they become familiar with vocabulary, grammatical structures, different text genres and topics.
BOOKS READING IN THE PROGRAM
Depending on the ability, the reader chooses the book for himself. For those with advanced level, they can choose any story or novel to read. However, for students who are still studying, especially those who are new to English, the stories or novels of the authors are too much.
Therefore, many publishers now provide series of books specifically for the extensive reading program – graded readers. This type of book is written specifically for foreign language learners, including many genres: fiction or non-fiction, and is written concisely. As its name suggests, the book is divided into many levels (grades), usually from 6-8 levels, to suit the understanding ability and vocabulary of many people – from basic to advanced. The plot, vocabulary, grammar and illustrations are all carefully selected by publishers. Graded readers also help you plan your reading. For example, you can plan to read one book a week. This is completely feasible because the book is not too thick (50-100 pages). You also know how many words you read, fast or slow because the covers of these books have the number of headwords printed on them.
GUIDE TO SELECTING DOCUMENTS AND READING
Step 1: Check your level
- Go online to take an online test to classify your level to choose the appropriate stage/level.
- Each publisher has its own test level, so depending on which publisher's book series you choose to read, we choose that publisher's test. Below are some test level links of some famous publishers:
+ Oxford test link: https://elt.oup.com/student/bookwormsleveltest/?cc=vn&selLanguag e=en
+ Pearsonlongman test link:
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/practicereading.html
+ Macmillian test link: http://www.macmillanreaders.com/tests/level-test
+ Penguin test link: http://www.penguinreaders.com/pr/teachers/the-right-reader.html
- If you want to read a mix of books from many publishers, you can take the Extensive Reading Foundation test: https://erfpt.ealps.shinshu-u.ac.jp/pt/conduct
Step 2: Read books
- If you have enough financial means and like to use printed books, you can find books at foreign bookstores on Ba Trieu, Dinh Le, Kim Lien streets, etc.
- If you do not have enough financial conditions and like to use e-books, you can find free book download links, such as:
o http://aj3000.com/wp/free-graded-readers/
or http://english-e-books.net/
o http://www.tusachcuaban.com/2014/12/graded-readers-books-oxford-bookworms.html
o http://www.mediafire.com/download/v46bgcwny8fubb9/Phan+Ng%E1%BB%8Dc+Qu%E1%BB%91c.rar
(Or you can search on google.com.vn with the keyword: graded readers download free
Step 3: Improve your English skills by practicing Listening + Reading
· First, choose a story or a chapter (if the story is long)
· Open the CD and listen 3-5 times to test your ability to understand the main idea.
· Open the book and listen and read at the same time (read aloud, read silently...): 1-2 times
· Underline new words in the book
· Use one of the following methods to learn
* Method 1: Use the steps (Minh – Phai – Sang – Phong – An) in SPA: Imagine and draw Flash Card
* Method 2: Flashcard drawing software such as: Supermemo 2008 (Password: bookstation.org ), Keepinhead,…
· Go back to reading the story, read it aloud and in parallel with the Audio (make sure the intonation, linking sounds are as good as the narrator): Practice until fluent
· Do the assessment exercise at the end of each story
Step 4: Continue studying until you finish the level, then take the test for the next level.
If suitable, you continue studying.
If not suitable, you need to retake this level
*Note: Need to review vocabulary regularly.
Kill two birds with one stone – combine reading, listening, and increasing vocabulary. So what are you waiting for, let’s get started.
Good luck!
Latest article
View all Posts
Related articles
See all related Articles
Register for admission consultation 2025
Dai Nam University offers admissions to
36 academic programs
across a diverse range of disciplines, including Healthcare, Engineering and Technology, Economics and Business, and Social Sciences and Humanities.
Register now to secure
scholarships and tuition support worth up to 55 billion VND
scholarships and tuition support worth up to 55 billion VND
Register now to secure
scholarships and tuition support worth up to 55 billion VND
scholarships and tuition support worth up to 55 billion VND
