Issn 1539-0578 Developing reading fluency in efl: How assisted repeated reading and extensive reading affect fluency development

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http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/rfl

 

Reading in a Foreign Language

Volume 16, No.  2, October 2004

ISSN 1539-0578

Developing reading fluency in EFL: How assisted repeated reading

and extensive reading affect fluency development

Etsuo Taguchi

Daito Bunka University

 Miyoko Takayasu-Maass

Seigakuin University

Greta J.  Gorsuch

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Extensive research on reading in a first language has shown the critical role

fluency plays in successful reading.  Fluency alone, however, does not guarantee

successful reading.  Cognitive and metacognitive reading strategies and schemata

that readers utilize also play important roles in constructing meaning from text.

Most research, however, indicates that good reading ability is virtually impossible

in the absence of fast and accurate word recognition skills and reading fluency.

Therefore, efficient ways of improving fluency must be developed.  In answer to

this need, extensive reading programs have been implemented as an effective

approach in EFL settings.  Another method, repeated reading, seems equally

promising.  The main objective of the current study is to focus on whether and

how assisted repeated reading with an auditory reading model enhances EFL

readers' fluency.  Some comparisons of Japanese university students'

performances in repeated reading and extensive reading programs are also made

in an attempt to see gains in reading fluency and comprehension, and to explore

some characteristics which are unique to assisted repeated reading.  Quantitative

and qualitative analyses of participants' reading behaviors suggest that assisted

repeated reading is equally as effective as extensive reading in increasing EFL

readers' silent reading rate, and favorably affects learners' perceptions of reading

activities.  Furthermore, the results indicate the specific role the repetition and

listening components of assisted repeated reading play to facilitate reading

comprehension.  Assisted repeated reading can potentially develop weak

ESL/EFL readers' fluency and help them become independent readers by

providing a distinct form of scaffolding.

Keywords: repeated reading, assisted repeated reading, extensive reading, reading

fluency, reading comprehension

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