The Implementation of Extensive Reading in Enhancing Students Motivation

There are many ways to decode written text, one of which is extensive reading. According to R. R. Day and J. Bamford in the book entitled Extensive Reading Activities for Teaching Language (2004), extensive reading is a reading technique in which students read a lot of material in general, for overall meaning, and to get information as well as pleasure. Extensive reading is a method that is considered by many as a good method in increasing students' interest in reading. Research on extensive reading in the teaching of English as a foreign and second language is also widely conducted, especially at the university or college level. 

So, where students are simply competing against themselves to ensure the maximum number of books are read within the stipulated time. The concept of extensive reading is to expose students to an input-rich and enjoyable environment, with the intention that their language knowledge will increase and their enthusiasm to develop naturally. As emphasized by Ghanbari and Marzban (2014: 3856), the role of extensive reading in Language Learning: It can provide 'comprehensible input'; It can improve learners' general language competence: It increases students' exposure to language; It can increase vocabulary knowledge. This can lead to improvement in writing, Sixth, it can motivate learners to read; It can consolidate previously learned language: It helps build confidence with extended texts; It encourages the exploitation of textual redundancy; lastly, It facilitates the development of predictive skills.
Extensive reading is very influential in language development, because it fulfills the principles that encourage learner independence and freedom in choosing as much reading material as possible, according to their interests and abilities (Day & Bamford, 1998). In extensive reading generally relative to reading and writing when learning a second language, reading skills are one of the most useful and motivating skills. In fact, it is an essential part of language learning. It is through this receptive ability that many university students become aware that they can become competent to understand and respond to what they have read. It also activates critical thinking skills that enhance students' ability to form opinions and deduce the secret ideas in a text. Reading will also help students gain greater confidence. A study by McLean and Rouault (2017) investigated the effect of extensive reading and grammar translation treatments on reading speed improvement among Japanese students who performed timed reading exercises. The academic review of extensive reading found strong evidence that extensive reading done regularly over a long period of time will have a significant impact on students' reading skills. Therefore, students are motivated to improve their learning, to go further and continue reading authentic materials at an efficient speed. In addition, extensive reading also has a good effect on language skills, Davis (1995) argues that greater active and passive vocabulary is developed by students. They use more diverse sentence structures, and in writing and speaking, they are better at finding and correcting grammatical errors. They show an overall improvement in writing ability and confidence and fluency in speaking.
In this era of globalization, reading skills are getting tougher. Therefore, we must have the ability to absorb various information where most of the texts are presented in English. The obstacles they face in Reading Activity are lack of vocabulary, low motivation, and not understanding strategies/techniques in reading both scientific and non-scientific articles or reading materials. For this reason, extensive reading tends to help students read texts quickly and efficiently by using various techniques including skimming and scanning. In addition, students also learn how to find the main idea or idea in the reading. Extensive reading is able to encourage students for personal growth, students have shown a more positive attitude towards study in general. They have developed a broader knowledge of the world and a greater understanding of other people. They use their thinking skills more effectively, their imaginative scope increases, and they are generally more mature. (Davis, 1995). Rice (1936) stated that extensive reading of scientific materials is a very effective method of acquiring knowledge of scientific facts and principles.
In my opinion, extensive reading is effective for students because extensive reading develops students' independence, can be done anywhere and anytime. Readers can start and stop whenever they want, and read at a pace that is comfortable for them. Then, extensive reading can improve language competence in general, the benefits of extensive reading are not only reading. There is a spreading effect from reading competence to other language skills of writing, speaking and mastering syntax' (Elley 1991). In addition, extensive reading helps develop general knowledge. Extensive reading opens a window to the world seen through different eyes.

References list

https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/JER/article/download/22326/11033
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.854
https://journal.uinsi.ac.id/index.php/Tarbiyawat/article/download/3642/1447/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349618624_Program_Membaca_Ekstensif_Meningkatkan_Motivasi_Membaca_Siswa
https://almasoem.sch.id/extensive-reading-membuat-membaca-menjadi-menyenangkan/
https://berandakampus.com/extensive-reading-belajar-bahasa-kedua-yang-menyenangkan/