Abstract
This study presents research into the use of simplified readers as an instance ofextensive reading (ER) in the context of teaching English in mainland China. In the investigation into ER in English in four high schools in Beijing, 176 students from the four high schools answered questionnaires and sat two cloze tests using excerpts from the Oxford Bookworm series; in addition, 24 students and four English teachers from the four schools were interviewed.
Students' responses to the questionnaires indicate their preferences in English readers and how they use simplified readers. It was found that most students were fond of doing ER without features related to intensive reading (IR) such as exercises. The questionnaires also provide evidence of the advantages of ER. The test results suggest that not all the students had adequate proficiency to read the texts from simplified readers independently, especially students in normal high schools. The Oxford Bookworm series might thus be difficult for some students.
Interviews suggested that teachers didn't fully understand the rationale for ER,
although it seemed that teachers' attitudes towards out-of-school private reading were positive. Teachers did have an effect on students' reading, in that they recommended English readers for students to read after school. However, teachers considered "regular" English teaching in the classroom as the priority. Furthermore, it was found that pressure of exams hampered ER.
This investigation shows that there was no formal systematic ER programme as
conventionally understood in any of the four high schools, although there were
supplies of readers in adequate numbers, and students were aware of them, and did to some extent read them. Currently it seems students in Beijing carry out ER on their own and in an ad hoc manner.
| Date of Award | Oct 2010 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Edward Williams (Supervisor) |