“There are three words I still can’t understand, I am sure they are the key words”; Learning vocabulary through extensive reading

الملخص

A number of studies have shown that second language learners acquire vocabulary through reading; however it is only small amounts. Most of these studies used only short texts, measured only the acquisition of meaning, and did not pay attention to other aspects of words. This study of two learners of English language investigated whether EFL extensive reading is successful in increasing word knowledge. The study tests a small number of words (18), and questioned is six weeks of extensive reading enhanced knowledge of these target words in terms of meaning, spelling, and pronunciation. The participants read a 1200-word story over two weeks. The data was gathered through vocabulary pre-test and post-tests to measure their vocabulary gain. The findings revealed that knowledge of meaning was enhanced by 70%. Phonology and orthography were also enhanced, but not to the same extent. Overall, the study proved that vocabulary acquisition is possible from extensive reading as previous studies have suggested.