French Science Students Reading in a Foreign Language: Constraint or Pleasure?

Abstract

French science students do not read much in English. Does this reflect their reading habits in their native language? A study in the form of online questionnaires was conducted at Toulouse university which compared their reading habits in French and in English. A further study examined the way one particular group of students conducted their prescribed reading task in English. Finally, a questionnaire was used to assess their reading in English after university. The results show that these students do a fair amount of reading in French and therefore can and should be encouraged to read in English. Extensive reading programmes proved useful at the incidental learning, fluency and enjoyment levels.