“TOP TEN PRINCIPLES FOR TEACHING EXTENSIVE READING” WILL IMPROVE THE

READING SKILLS OF FILIPINO STUDENTS

These principles would surely improve the reading skills of Filipino students because for various
reasons; when learners read extensively, they would read very easy, enjoyable books to build
their reading speed and fluency. Another way to say this is students learn to read by actually
reading rather than examining texts by studying the vocabulary, and grammar; involves students
reading long texts or large quantities for general understanding, with the intention of enjoying
the texts. The learners are allowed to choose a book or any reading materials to read depending
on their interests without any follow-up discussions or work in class. In this way students are
encouraged to read for pleasure and should become better readers.

As I have read, the principal objective of undertaking an extensive reading approach is to

get students reading in English and liking it. With this there are possibilities of increased in
reading fluency of Filipino learners so reading should be a pleasurable activity for the student,
promoted as much as possible by the teacher. Motivation could also be one key factor to the
success of extensive reading; therefore, getting Filipino students interest in reading is the key. I
do believe that as much as they are enjoying what they are reading they are learning and at the
same time expanding their knowledge and understanding of the second language being taught
and introduce to them.

Bamford and Day (1998) highlight the benefits that have been gained by the undertaking
of extensive reading programs. These include gains in reading and writing proficiency, oral skills
and vocabulary, an increase in motivation and positive affect. Therefore, I could say that having
an extensive reading must not only make your students improve their reading proficiency and
other language skills, but will also allow them to take pleasure in reading for its own sake.