What are the Similarities and Differences between Intensive and Extensive Reading B.ED Notes
Back to: Pedagogy of English- Unit 5
Intensive reading refers to the detailed study of the prescribed text to train the students is an important aspect of language teaching which includes reading. Jesperson states,” To keep them occupied with the text repeatedly in such a way that they do not lose sight in the meaning, so that they may thus become so familiar with it at last that they know it almost or entirely by heart, without having been directly required to commit it to memory.” The teacher has to carefully plan the teaching material of intensive reading as it plays an important role in examinations and practical life as well.
Loud reading is also referred to as oral or aloud reading. It should be conducted once the learners have been given a little training and have been taught about intonation, stress, pronunciation, pitch, and other aspects of spoken English. Ryburn states that loud reading is important, “To test the pupils’ knowledge of English words and phrases and whether they know how to pronounce them, how to phrase words, how to articulate clearly. That is, reading aloud is a test as well as a practice.”
Differences between intensive reading and extensive reading
| Intensive Reading | Extensive Reading |
| It is a reading method in which the learners read a short text deeply to gain maximum understanding. | It is a reading method that includes reading a long text to gain a general understanding. |
| It is comprehensive in nature. | It is supplementary in nature. |
| It includes reading of textbooks | It includes reading magazines, novels, newspapers, and the like. |
| It is done to understand the literal meaning of the text. | It is done to acquire information for pleasure. |
| In intensive reading, the reading material is recommended by the teachers. | In extensive reading, the reading material is selected by the individual himself. |
Similarities between Intensive and Extensive Reading
- Both intensive reading and extensive reading are forms of reading.
- Both forms of reading are done to gain an understanding of the text.
- Both forms of reading are done to improve the comprehension level of the learners.
- Intensive and extensive reading is more concerned with the learner’s progress.
- Both intensive and extensive reading is concerned with deriving meaning from the text.
Intensive reading involves reading short texts to extract a specific piece of information. Extensive reading generally involves reading long texts for pleasure.
