The paper titled "Extensive Reading: A Multifaceted Panacea for EFL Students at KKU" by Ahmad I. Assiri and Ahlullah Siddiqui focuses on assessing the importance of Extensive Reading (ER) for developing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking fluency among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at King Khalid University (KKU) in Saudi Arabia. The study aims to evaluate the impact of ER on these language skills and suggest ways to implement ER strategies in EFL classrooms.
The research employed a mixed-methods approach using a convergent parallel design. The study involved 25 male students from the English department at KKU, divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in a 12-week ER training program using supplementary reading materials of their choice. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to assess reading rate and language proficiency. Additionally, students took weekly quizzes and participated in a survey to measure intrinsic motivation.
Key findings revealed that students in the experimental group showed significant improvement in reading comprehension, speaking fluency, and vocabulary development compared to the control group. The mean scores for the experimental group were notably higher across all three variables. Students also reported increased motivation and enjoyment in reading English materials.
The study concludes that ER has a multifaceted positive impact on language learning, particularly in developing reading comprehension, speaking fluency, and vocabulary. The researchers recommend establishing an ER club at KKU and other Saudi universities to provide diverse reading materials and opportunities for students to engage in extensive reading. They also suggest incorporating ER practices into EFL programs at least twice a week as ungraded assignments or reading for enjoyment.
The study's limitations include its small sample size and focus on male students only. The researchers suggest that future studies could replicate this research with female students and across other Saudi public universities to further verify the effectiveness of the ER approach in EFL contexts.