The integrated effects of extensive reading and speed reading on L2 Japanese learners’ reading fluency

Abstract

This study seeks to fill a void in the current body of research on extensive reading by investigating the integrated effects of extensive reading and speed reading on L2 reading fluency. It examined the effects of an extensive reading program that included speed reading trainings and found that the reading rates of the participating L2 Japanese learners (N = 11) increased statistically significantly over two academic terms when analysed by three methods. The participants’ reading rate gains occurred without the expense of comprehension and when speed reading trainings were given only once a week. This study has proved that Nation and Waring’s advice—that extensive reading programs should ideally have a targeted speed-reading component—was sound, and if followed, positively impacts learners’ reading fluency.