The Role of Extensive Reading in Developing EFL Learners’ Reading Skills: Case of Municipal Lycée of Bwiza Third Year Post-Basic Students in Languages Section

Abstract

Reading, as one of the language skills of any language, is very important and it has much to contribute for EFL learners as the other skills do. Among the types of reading that are known, there is one which is really indispensable for any English language learner who wants to be proficient enough and that is Extensive Reading (ER). The fundamental goal of ER is to increase exposure to the language in a naturally enjoyable way and this motivates learners to learn. Extensive Reading has been found very promising in enhancing learners’ language skills, including reading skills. The objective of this study was to explore the role of Extensive Reading in developing reading skills among 3rd year students in Languages Section of Municipal Lycée of Bwiza. The study employed a mixed method approach, a convergent parallel research design and pragmatic paradigm. Using Simple Random Sampling, the study’s size was 34 learners of 3rd year of the Languages Section at Bwiza; and they were randomly assigned to either Experimental Group or Control Group. The participants in the experimental group were assigned extensive reading materials within a one month timespan. To check the differences of the participants’ performance before and after the intervention, a pre-test and a post-test were employed. An interview was also run to the experimental group after the treatment. The results from the tests revealed that ER helped EFL learners in boosting their reading skills especially reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition as its aspects. The Experimental Group (Mean=42.5000, SD=10.50595) outstripped the Control Group (Mean=34.2941, SD=11.31241) in getting higher scores where the difference is statistically significant with the p-value of .036. The results obtained from the interview also indicated that the EFL learners had positive attitudes towards the use of extensive reading materials. The study concluded that ER is very powerful in developing EFL learners’ language skills and more specifically reading skills. Finally, the study recommended the integration of ER programs in schools by setting up libraries, reading clubs and other more conducive environments for learners to read and cultivate this good habit in them.