Importance of Extensive Reading in Language Learning

Teaching English has many challenges. Among all the challenges, teaching vocabulary and grammar are the most important areas. The past two decades have seen lot of research activities in developing effective methodologies and devices to impart language skills. One of the most important methods suggested many researchers is the Extensive reading method to improve language skills like comprehension and vocabulary. This paper attempts to trace the significant work done in the field of extensive reading and highlights the benefits and the methods to be followed for running an extensive reading programme. This paper also throws light on how the extensive reading activity can be integrated into the regular syllabus. An extensive reading programme integrated into the syllabus may have a significant positive effect on learner's language learning abilities. In the interests of academic and professional development, the authors encourage teachers to use the extensive reading as a tool to examine their beliefs about reading in general and extensive reading in particular, and the ways how the learners acquire very important language skills.