An extensive reading system built on the basis of comprehensible input principles - A key to rescuing the lower-level EFL university students’ vocabulary ability

Abstract

Although scholars of extensive reading and vocabulary pedagogy confirm that the two research fields have a strong connection to improve one’s language competence, little seems to be implemented on students who are studying English as a foreign language (EFL) in the reading courses. This paper, first, used a case study in an EFL university context such as Taiwan to show that there is a need to examine the facts behind the deficient training of extensive reading. We then proposed a possible solution via some help of technology and created a mobile reading system. During the system implementation period, we observed one selected subject who might not be seen as an active or motivated EFL learner in reading classrooms and had a very low level of English proficiency, but our preliminary finding shows that his vocabulary ability can be enhanced because of the extensive reading opportunities guided by the system. Suggestions and future development of the system are finally indicated.