Extensive Reading Research Articles

Perpustakaan sebagai pusat kegiatan keilmuan dan pergerakan mahasiswa dalam novel Babel

Introduction. This paper investigates how the academic library's concepts, functions, and roles as the center of scholarly and student activities are portrayed in the novel Babel by R.F. Kuang. Data Collection Methods. This research used Bengtsson’s qualitative content analysis model. Data was collected through an extensive reading and found 111 data that matched with the research focus. Data Analysis. Data were analyzed through decontextualization with open coding and then recontextualized into 89 data to categorize and interpret. Results and Discussion. The library supported students by being portrayed as a learning commons, co-working space, and makerspace; hence it became the scholarly activity center for scholars. Libraries are not portrayed neutral in providing services and tend to limit students’ research scope and public access to information. The libraries are also used for non-academic activities, such as a source of magical power production and knowledge development center, the center of social and student movements. The library representation in the novel is not only a critique towards academia and its information institutions, but also an example of the library’s negative stereotype. Conclusion. From the author's perspective, the library is portrayed as a center for scholarly activities and directly involved in student political life as it becomes the center of student movements.

TEACHING CREATIVE WRITING AS MEANS OF PRODUCTIVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The article is devoted to the topical issue of teaching creative writing to high school students in Ukrainian schools. Based on the analysis of foreign and Ukrainian studies, the authors of the paper clarified the concept of «creative writing», outlined its fundamental difference from academic writing as a component of a foreign language curriculum and its importance in the process of teaching English. The article provides a definition of creative writing and outlines its fundamental separate status in relation to academic writing. It is emphasized that, according to many scholars, creative writing is defined as the author's self-expression. Creative writing is subjective in nature; it involves the author's non-standard thinking; encourages recourse to imagination, the possibility of realizing non-standard thinking, feelings, ideas. It is also noted that there are a lot of different types of creative writing, that can be classified as fiction or non-fiction. This work also outlines the prerequisites for teaching creative writing. These are: intensive reading of works by prominent writers, poets or screenwriters, as well as bloggers and speechwriters; the need to involve students in observation outside of school, heuristic conversations, etc. It is noted that such a process is natural for the development of a child's language, and is also a way of reflecting on the information received. The study provides examples of various techniques for teaching creative writing, which involve such aspects as: writing an individual essay after visiting emotionally stimulating locations; creating a short story with minimum of words; writing a poem based on the Japanese poetry of Haiku, writing an address to oneself in the future, continuing a story with a given beginning, etc.

The Effect of Intensive Reading Approach on Students’ Reading Comprehension

The Effect of Intensive Reading Approach on Students’ Reading Comprehension

Unveiling students’ learning strategies and barriers to extensive reading: a case study in an Indonesian university

The present study aims to investigate students’ learning strategies and barriers encountered in extensive reading activities. This research was designed with a qualitative case study method. The study recruited six Indonesian university EFL students majoring in English language education to participate and a lecturer in the study program. Data were garnered through semi-structured interviews as a data collection method. The data were analyzed thematically to find emerging themes. The research findings demonstrate that the EFL students employed three extensive reading comprehension strategies. The three strategies included predicting by inferring the meaning of unfamiliar words by making guesses based on the context, guessing from context by utilizing previous knowledge about the topics in the text, and paraphrasing by creating sentences from the obtained information. Another finding also uncovers the university students’ barriers in extensive reading, including the students’ language background and lack of interest in reading. This study concludes with practical implications for how EFL students engage in extensive reading with various learning strategies and how university teachers boost their students’ interests in more diverse extensive reading activities.

A Study of the Effects of Narrow Reading on Incidental English Vocabulary Acquisition

The study investigates incidental vocabulary acquisition during English natural reading through empirical research. First-year English major students from a university were selected as participants. They were tasked with reading simplified adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novels after class, divided into Groups A and B (Group A engaged in narrow reading, while Group B engaged in extensive reading). Both groups underwent vocabulary tests before and after the experiment. Through data analysis, this study reveals the impact of narrow reading and extensive reading on vocabulary acquisition when reading English simplified novels, as well as whether there are differences between extensive reading and narrow reading during the reading process. The conclusions of this research have implications for developing effective strategies for extracurricular English reading and fostering complete vocabulary acquisition among students.

The Students’ Motivation and Grit As Predictors on Reading Achievement

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between students' reading motivation and their reading achievement, as well as the relationship between students' grit and their reading achievement. Additionally, this study aims to explore the interplay among students' motivation, grit, and reading achievement. In this research, the researcher employed two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic, and two types of grit: consistency of interest and perseverance of effort. This research is a quantitative correlational study with the population consisting of fifty-five students in the sixth semester of the S1 English Study Program Regular A of Tanjungpura University in Pontianak in the academic year of 2021/2022 who already took two reading courses (intensive reading and reading skill development) on their past semesters. Data were collected using questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of 40 reading motivation items and 8 grit items on a 4 Likert scale ranging from “Very Different from Me” to “A lot Like Me”. Based on the research findings, there is a correlation with reading achievement (r= 0.551). There exists a positive connection (r=0.748) among grit and reading achievement. Additionally, it is noteworthy that there exists a good association between an individual's motivation to read and their level of perseverance and passion towards achieving success in reading (r=0.758). The study's major findings indicate a favorable correlation between the motivation and grit of great performers. There exists a positive correlation between an individual's level of motivation and grit and their level of achievement.

Levirate Marriage & Theo-doctrinal Embargo a Kenyan Experience

African scholars have found themselves in a theo-doctrinal embargo, especially after the 19 th and 20 th century European missionary explosion, that ushered a vibrant protestant Christianity in East Africa that was largely dismissive of cultural dialogues with Christianity. One of the most contested subject, that went beyond the missionary era, and reverberates across the twenty-first century, is the levirate marriage (hereafter, levirate marriage). Outside the missionary armpits, African scholars have continued to debate its efficacy to the christian teachings. In view of this, the theo-doctrinal embargo that has evidently persisted across the mainstream churches and some African Instituted churches (AIC) in Kenya motivated the eventual research and publication of this article. Whereas the mainstream churches maintain that wife inheritance, especially where the male inheritor has another wife is sin, some AICs have tended to support the levirate marriage even where the male inheritor has another wife. They do this by quoting some Old Testament texts, as their reference point. The mainstream churches have insisted that wife inheritance narratives was permitted in the Old Testament in cases where the male inheritor was single and the deceased was childless. This article seeks to examine the biblical understanding of levirate marriage and its place in the Kenyan context. Overall, the article analyzed Scriptural texts dealing with the subject of Levirate marriages and reflected it from an African Christian perspective. The materials in this article were gathered through extensive reading of published works, interviews and via general observation of the practices therein.

Comparing Tier 1 reading instruction with Tier 3 or special education intervention through an observational snapshot of school-implemented response to intervention across Grades 1–5

AbstractThere is limited research about Tier 3 interventions provided during typical school Response to Intervention (RTI) implementation. As part of a larger RTI exploration study designed to focus on students with the most intensive reading needs, our goal was to contrast their Tier 1 core reading instruction with their Tier 3 intervention. Schools identified participating students as receiving Tier 3 or special education for reading. We aimed to provide a snapshot of differences in Tier 1 and intensive interventions delivered to 264 students from 32 elementary schools. Our research team used the Instructional Content Emphasis-Revised (ICE-R; Edmond & Briggs, 2003) to observe differences in group size and the amounts and types of curricular content (e.g., code vs. meaning-focused) students received during both tiers. We explored whether these patterns were consistent across Grades 1–5 and if they differed in relation to students’ disability (reading disability vs. other disability vs. no disability). We also examined whether the Tier 3 observation data was consistent with administrators’ reports about RTI implementation within their school. Across the grades, we found significantly more small-group than whole-class instruction during Tier 3 than in Tier 1. We observed significantly lower proportions of code-focused instruction than meaning-focused instruction, particularly during Tier 1. Generally, code-focused instruction decreased across the grades in both tiers. Although we found a trend suggesting students with reading disabilities may have received higher proportions of code-focused instruction than other students, this was not significant after multiple comparisons. We discuss some similarities and differences between our observations and administrator data. We discuss implications, limitations, and directions for future research.

“Something comes through or it doesn’t”: intensive reading in post-qualitative inquiry

The article describes practices of “intensive reading” for post-qualitative inquiry, drawing on the work of Deleuze, with some examples from the author’s own research. To read intensively is to experience the forward propulsion toward something not-yet-present. That forward momentum, and the fragmented path that it carves through the library, has the potential, in the words of Stengers, to summon something “that has no stable illustration in this world.”

Bentham, Iser, and the Necessity of Fiction

Despite the intense reception and critical discussion which Wolfgang Iser’s work on the reading process and the esthetics of reception (Rezeptionsästhetik) received throughout the 1970s and 80s in Anglo-American literary criticism, his later ambitious attempt to sketch out a “literary anthropology” with the help of a general theory of fiction was almost completely ignored outside of his immediate German context. This is especially lamentable from the perspective of law and literature approaches to legal and literary fiction since Iser’s argument for the anthropological “grounding” of fictions as acts of motivated and strategic “feigning” (fingieren) develops out of a careful analysis and assessment of Jeremy Bentham’s Theory of Fiction. Iser’s discussion of Bentham does not only present a rare case of acknowledgement of Benthamian notions about fictions from the perspective of continental literary theory, it also illustrates the way in which the discussion of fiction in general may serve to foster a more robust interdisciplinary perspective in regard to legal and literary practices of storytelling and narration. 1 Since Iser’s theory of (literary) fiction has been perceived from rather different angles and with a diverging range of comprehension by Anglo-American and European audiences, respectively, the essay will first attempt to introduce and place Iser’s discussion of fiction and the imaginary within the larger disciplinary context and his overarching interest and investment in a literary anthropology. After a more general presentation of the various elements in his larger work, the paper will briefly look at the “anthropological” prospects which Iser had pursued from early on throughout his critical work, culminating in The Fictive and the Imaginary. The second half of the essay will then take a closer look at Iser’s particular interest in and detailed discussion of Jeremy Bentham’s Theory of Fiction, to reveal how Iser’s own anthropological project could derive a central impulse and trajectory from his intense reading of Bentham. In particular, I am interested in how Iser interprets Bentham’s use of legal fictions to project a general theory of fiction, and how Iser then uses the concept of necessity or “need” to gradually translate and transfer Bentham’s theoretical premises to match and support his own conceptualization of the fictive, the real and the imaginary. Iser’s particular understanding of “doing fiction,” I will conclude, might be of considerable value for the interdisciplinary engagement with legal and literary fictions.

Second Language Learning Strategy for Young Learners: Learning Hiragana as A Process in Japanese Language Acquisition

Abstract. Learning strategies in the Japanese language for young learners tend to be applied to children in Japanese mixed-married families or foreign children in Japan. However, this study tried to apply a learning strategy for a young learner who does not have a background in the Japanese environment or experience with Japanese people and culture. This study aims to describe a learning strategy by applying mnemonics to young learners in Japanese language acquisition, particularly in the Japanese character Hiragana. This research used qualitative descriptive design, with research instruments that include researchers, observation forms, and literature sources. The data collected in this study were analyzed using an interpretive approach. This study used a mnemonics-based digital tool application was used to assist the young learner in learning the Japanese character, Hiragana. This study shows that mnemonics can improve young learners' Hiragana acquisition. Learning strategy by applying mnemonics helps the young learner memorize each character and improves associative skills and Japanese vocabulary as a language acquisition process. Some characters are similar and confusing for beginners, and some Japanese characters do not exist in Indonesian, which makes it difficult for learners to pronounce them. The application greatly helps the subject memorize each character and improves associative skills and Japanese vocabulary as a language acquisition process. Through continuous reading practice, the subject can distinguish almost similar characters and help pronounce vocabulary. This application is very effective for parents who want to introduce Hiragana characters to young learners, with intensive reading practice and creating an environment that uses Hiragana.Keywords: learning strategy, mnemonics, Hiragana, young learner, language acquisition

Enhancing Reading Comprehension Proficiency of Grade 10 Students: Input for Supplementary Reading Materials

This present study investigated the reading comprehension levels of the Grade 10 students, their levels of macro and micro reading comprehension skills, and the different reading activities provided to them by the teachers. Considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grade 10 students’ acquisition of reading comprehension skills has been affected. Consequently, assessment of students’ reading comprehension is essential to collect information and make inferences about the level of their reading comprehension skills which would help the Grade 10 teachers determine the underlying problems in students’ reading skills and eventually guide them in the crafting of the most appropriate reading interventions and well-designed remediation plans. The instrument used to assess the student’s level of reading comprehension skills was categorized into two based on Douglas Henry Brown’s micro and macro reading skills and an interview for teacher-respondents on the activities provided to the students in teaching reading. The results of this study indicated that the student’s reading comprehension proficiency was at a proficient level and yet more intensive reading comprehension activities should be given, well-designed supplementary reading materials be provided, and varied and effective learning strategies be employed by the teachers to improve their reading comprehension.

Beyond Stereotypes

The Chinese government provided a narrow window for Chinese students during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, enabling them to remain in China and enrol in online courses provided by foreign universities. This was not authorised before the pandemic (Ministry of Education [MOE], 2020). As a result, there was limited research focusing on Chinese overseas students’ distance learning experiences before the pandemic (e.g., Kung, 2017). Furthermore, these studies have been criticised for their overuse of monolithic approaches and the underuse of theories, producing stereotypes and misunderstandings about Chinese students (Lee & Bligh, 2019; Xu, 2022). Despite the increasing number of studies on Chinese overseas students conducted during the pandemic, their online learning experiences have been significantly influenced by the unique situation, which may not be applicable in a post-pandemic scenario. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to investigate Chinese overseas students' networked learning experiences in the post-pandemic era. Building on the ongoing conceptualising effort (NLEC, 2021a), the authors have used learner-content interaction (Moore, 1989) and Berry’s acculturation theory (Berry, 2005) to explore online international Chinese students’ experiences of interaction with learning contents. The focus is on developing a holistic and balanced perspective of these students. Twelve students, enrolled in online graduate degree programmes offered by Western universities while residing in China, were recruited and interviewed. The results of the authors’ thematic analysis of the interview transcripts suggest that online Chinese international students are active agents in their interaction with the learning content and their adaptation to the new settings, in which they bridge a strong connection between Chinese and Western learning content to enrich their understanding of knowledge and promote cultural diversity in both their new environment and their home country. Here, online Chinese international students predominately employ an integration strategy to engage in learning content. Similar to international students from other countries, online Chinese international students encounter challenges due to differences in educational backgrounds, including differences in learning materials and extensive reading requirements. However, online Chinese international students proactively cope with these challenges by integrating knowledge and skills from their home country into their studies, facilitating successful adaptation to the new environment. In addition, the student interaction experience is undermined by a loss of diversity in content provided by Western universities. Therefore, the recommendations are for online educators and universities to take into account the cultural backgrounds of their students and design diverse course content.

From Pages to Pixels: Unveiling Student Experiences with Digital Storytelling in Extensive Reading Classes

From Pages to Pixels: Unveiling Student Experiences with Digital Storytelling in Extensive Reading Classes

Solution to Improve English Reading Comprehension Skills for First-Year Non-Specialized Students at Tan Trao University

The increasing importance of English as a global language necessitates the development of robust reading comprehension skills among university students, especially those in their first year. At Tan Trao University, a significant number of first-year non-specialized students struggle with English reading comprehension, which impedes their overall academic progress and limits their access to global knowledge resources. This study, titled "Solution to Improve English Reading Comprehension Skills for First-Year Non-Specialized Students at Tan Trao University," seeks to address this pressing issue by identifying the challenges these students face and proposing effective solutions to enhance their reading comprehension abilities. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review, this research delves into various theoretical frameworks and previous studies on reading comprehension and second language acquisition. It investigates the specific difficulties encountered by non-specialized students, such as limited vocabulary, lack of background knowledge, inadequate reading strategies, and low motivation. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative data from standardized reading tests and surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that students' reading comprehension difficulties stem from a combination of internal and external factors. Internally, students often exhibit low self-efficacy and anxiety towards reading in English. Externally, insufficient exposure to English texts, lack of tailored instructional materials, and limited access to reading resources further exacerbate the problem. In light of these findings, the study proposes a multifaceted intervention strategy aimed at improving reading comprehension skills. Key solutions include the integration of extensive reading programs, the use of authentic and engaging reading materials, and the implementation of reading strategy instruction. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment through peer collaboration, teacher feedback, and motivational activities. To ensure the effectiveness of these solutions, an implementation plan is outlined, detailing steps for curriculum development, teacher training, and ongoing assessment. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on language acquisition but also offers practical recommendations for educators and policymakers at Tan Trao University. By addressing the specific needs of first-year non-specialized students, the proposed solutions aim to enhance their reading comprehension skills, thereby improving their overall academic performance and increasing their opportunities for success in a globalized world. The study concludes with suggestions for further research to explore additional factors influencing reading comprehension and to develop innovative instructional approaches tailored to diverse student populations.

Embracing technology in EFL pre-university classrooms: A qualitative study on EFL learners' perceptions of intensive and extensive reading approaches

This study attempts to explore the perceptions of Pakistani pre-university EFL learners about the intensive reading (IR) and extensive reading (ER) approaches and the use of technology in these two approaches. This is a qualitative study using a purposive sampling technique. The participants were 10 pre-university undergraduate students enrolled in the foundation program of a public sector university in Pakistan. Researchers used semi-structured interviews and reflective diaries as data collection tools. Thematic analysis and personal interpretation techniques were used to analyze the results. The results showed that after participating in the reading classes, the students had positive perceptions of the IR and ER approaches and found them useful and interesting. The results also showed that the learners felt that their language skills improved significantly after participating in the IR and ER-related activities. Students also found these reading approaches to be complementary to each other. The results also indicated that teachers' use of intensive reading and extensive reading approaches could make learners skilled and autonomous readers. Ultimately, their reading problems could be solved with these approaches. Moreover, the learners also perceived the use of technology in these two reading approaches as of great benefit to them. The researchers recommend incorporating IR and ER activities into the EFL classroom using digital resources to maximize EFL learners' reading abilities and other language skills.

Using reading journals to identify moral values in the extensive reading books

With the mushrooming popularity of extensive reading in language classrooms, teachers might be unaware that students are not only gaining linguistic inputs from their reading but also those related to non-linguistic ones, such as moral values. Frankly speaking, some values may suit their culture, but others may not. This research then aimed to investigate these non-linguistic inputs the students obtained when participating in the Extensive Reading ER program. This is important amid the domination of Western culture in stories that students mostly use. This research tried to identify the types of moral values students attained after attending a one-semester ER program. Also, it questioned if these values fit with the culture and place where they lived. Using the diary method, this research collected students’ post-reading journals over one academic semester. The journals should be filled in every time the students finish reading. Involving 30 students as participants, the research generated 397 entries, 13 on average. The data were analyzed by classifying the students’ responses into five principles of moral values proposed by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. This research found that most moral values in the ER program aligned with those in Indonesia, despite a few differences. It also provided two most frequent moral values that were surprisingly close to Western culture. This research shared some interesting discussion, including the possible reasons why these two categories have a strong domination, outperforming other categories. Finally, the research also provides important notes regarding what teachers should do and key suggestions for future research.

The Extent of Using Intensive Reading Skills by Tenth Grade English Language Teachers in Amman Second Directorate Schools, from Their Point of view

The goal of the study was to investigate how many English teachers in Amman's Second Directorate of Education practiced intensive reading skills based on their point of views. A descriptive-analytical methodology was used. A questionnaire was prepared the data. To collect Its validity and reliability were assured. All tenth grade English language teachers (101) at Amman Second Directorate of Education Schools for the academic year (2020/2019) were included in the study. There were no statistically significant differences in the application of intensive reading skills by English language teachers due to gender or experience. The researcher made several recommendations in light of the findings, including designing training programs for English teachers that match the criteria for intensive reading comprehension skills.

Impact of Extensive Reading Programs and Video Reports on English Speaking Skills

This study investigates the impact of extensive reading(ER) classes on students' speaking skills, focusing on fluency and accuracy. Results reveal a notable improvement in both aspects following students' participation in ER activities, including writing book reports and recording video reflections on their reading. The quantity of books read emerges as a key determinant of speaking fluency enhancement, and a positive association with speaking accuracy is observed as well, both exhibiting statistical robustness. Furthermore, an increase in the number of video report submissions correlates positively with improvements in overall speaking proficiency, such as accuracy, showing statistical significance; however, statistical significance is not achieved for fluency. Several pedagogical implications are presented and the limitations of the present study are addressed.

Values Of Character Education: Study of Strengthening the Culture of Digital Literacy for Youth in Disruptive 5.0 Era

This study aims to instill the values ​​of character education in strengthening the culture of digital literacy for teenagers at State Vocational Schools in Palembang City. This research uses educational, historical, and sociological approaches where research data is sourced from primary and secondary data from literature or reference books and documents as supporting data. The researchers were the essential instruments, and they then developed new instruments, namely observation guidelines, interview guidelines, and documentation. All three are used to collect data in the field. For this study, two main factors play a vital role in the reinforcement of the results of the data analysis study: supporting factors and inhibiting factors. The results of this study indicate that the values ​​of character education in strengthening the culture of digital literacy, which are carried out at State Vocational Schools in Palembang City, are still shallow, even though there are 15 minutes of extensive reading movements which are carried out every day but this is due to the lack of time allotted for the implementation of literacy culture. The character values ​​instilled in students are bright, honest, responsible, disciplined, and caring.