ERIC Number: EJ1087976
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2331-186X
EISSN: N/A
Why Don't They Do It? A Study on the Implementation of Extensive Reading in Taiwan
Huang, Yi-Cheng
Cogent Education, v2 n1 Article 1099187 2015
The study aims to verify whether extensive reading (ER) is able to promote senior high school students' English reading motivation and foster positive attitude towards reading in English. It further explores the teachers' perceptions of and the challenges faced in the implementation of ER activities. An ER activity was held for 12 weeks with 258 participants from 4 senior high schools in Southern Taiwan. Focus group interviews were then carried out with 72 randomly selected participants, after which individual interviews were conducted with 6 English teachers from these participating schools. Findings reveal that despite the challenges encountered in implementing the activity, the English teachers observed its benefits and were willing to encourage students to read extensively. The majority of the student participants also held positive attitudes towards the ER activity. Their positive attitudes, however, did not lead to the enhancement of their motivation in reading extensively due to the heavy workload from tests, homework or cram school. It was generally agreed that ER was time-consuming and not efficient enough to boost their exam scores. Accordingly, the study suggests that coordinated efforts and change of attitudes among the stakeholders are indispensable in the promotion of ER among senior high school students.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Reading Motivation, English (Second Language), Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Program Implementation, Focus Groups, Interviews, Sustained Silent Reading, Teaching Methods, Program Effectiveness, Secondary School Teachers, Language Teachers, Second Language Instruction, High School Students, Grade 11
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 11
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A