Combining Skills-Based Instruction and Extensive Reading: Using Online Resources to Support a Reading Curriculum

EFL reading instruction in Japan has traditionally been based on translation and language analysis.More recently, attention has been given to the use of extensive reading, which encourages students to enjoy reading by allowing them to choose materials they find engaging.Other reading courses aim to help students develop basic reading skills, such as scanning for information and using context clues.This paper outlines a university curriculum that incorporates extensive reading philosophies into a skills-based reading instruction program.In this program, students were given in-class instruction on reading skills and strategies.Weekly reading assignments allowed students to practice these skills, and the vast amount of authentic reading material available online supported the curriculum.Students were free to choose articles that they found to be interesting and appropriate for their reading level.Students' responses to this reading curriculum were generally positive; they found both the extensive reading and instruction in reading skills useful.