Extensive Free Reading Project

What is Extensive Free Reading?

Many researches have shown that extensive free reading works well to enhance language proficiency in all aspects. That means, if you read a lot, you not only improve on your reading, but also in writing, listening and speaking abilities.

There are two key concepts in this project. "Extensive" means you ought to do a lot of it, not in a single sitting, but spread out over the days, weeks, even months. It is better to read half an hour everyday of the week than to do three and half hours in a stretch in a single day. You do not just read one book, but as many books as you can get your hands on. "Free" means you choose what you want to read, not something that your teacher or parents or friends impose on you. You choose what suits your ability, not something to impress people. You read for your own gain in language proficiency and other benefits.

We sincerely hope that Extensive Free Reading Project will set you on the road to enjoying reading for your whole life.

• The Procedure
  

1. Choose an English book that you are interested in and would really want to read.
   
2. Bring your books to class for teacher’s advice/approval. (on Oct.3)
   
3. Plan to read for 30minutes everyday and mark your daily progress on the reading log. If you skip a day, skip the entry for that day. This log is to be turned in at the end of each month.
   
4. Every other week, submit a reading journal (RJ) and post it on class blog before the due date. There will be 7 journals for this semester. More submissions do not guarantee extra grades. No late journals are accepted. You are encouraged to look at your classmates' journals and give feedback as often as you can.
   
5. This activity will continue throughout the semester. If you finish reading one book before the semester ends, read another. Always talk to the teacher before you begin a new book.
   

• The vocabulary and close tests
  

Everyone in our class must take these. Both are important to check where your English proficiency is at this point. Do them sincerely. Do your best. If you are not certain which one to choose, go with your instinct. These tests will not be part of your semester grade, but they will be checked and the results made known to you.

• Choosing an English book
  

1. Your motivation is the most important. The ideal situation is that you are so carried with the content that you “forget” that it is in English. Exclude textbooks. (They are to be studied. Studying is a special kind of reading, not what we want you to do for this Extensive Free Reading Project.)
   
2. This class requires that the text be mostly continuous discourses (not simply exchanges of dialogues as often seen in comics) and in English only (avoid bi-lingual, side-by-side presentations). Also, try some contemporary works.
   
3. You don't have to buy the books you read. You can borrow and you can share. The Humanities Library (10th fl. Humanities Bldg) and the Reading Lab (6th fl., Humanities Bldg) offer graded English readers and you can borrow them. It may also be a good idea to share books among friends and classmates.
   
4. Never feel that you "should" begin at high level to justify your college status. Start at (or below) the level you are most comfortable with. It is much better to have a humble beginning and progress steadily than to begin with excessively high expectation then feel frustrated and disappointed. The “feeling good” factor is essential for the success of the reading project. A few pleasant incentives are helpful to attract you to continue.
   
5. Don't look up new words in a dictionary while you are reading. Proceed as quickly as you can. Look up important words/expressions later. It is very important to keep the flow. If you cannot continue without using a dictionary, you may have chosen a wrong book. Or you need to adjust an existing wrong method.
   
6. There is no limit to the amount or the level each student must achieve. The guiding principle is “each person to his/her own best ability”. We certainly would like to see each of you feel proud of your growth.