Vocabulary Acquisition through Extensive Reading in EFL Class

In this study it is shown that foreign language learners recognized the meanings of new words and built up vocabularies as a result of comprehension-focused extensive reading. This study also shows what percentage coverage of text is needed for unassisted reading for pleasure, where learners are able to read without the interruption of looking up words. It is proven that Extensive Reading Approach based on a carefully controlled book-length reading treatment develops a variety of sight vocabularies. In addition, it is shown that Extensive Reading, in terms of frequency of occurrence of words in the texts, explains more incidental word learning than Intensive Reading with shorter texts. Findings also suggests that subjects with less linguistic competence could have greater incidental word learning gains. Theoretical and experimental implications of vocabulary acquisition through reading are discussed.