Embracing technology in EFL pre-university classrooms: A qualitative study on EFL learners' perceptions of intensive and extensive reading approaches

Abstract

This study attempts to explore the perceptions of Pakistani pre-university EFL learners about the intensive reading (IR) and extensive reading (ER) approaches and the use of technology in these two approaches. This is a qualitative study using a purposive sampling technique. The participants were 10 pre-university undergraduate students enrolled in the foundation program of a public sector university in Pakistan. Researchers used semi-structured interviews and reflective diaries as data collection tools. Thematic analysis and personal interpretation techniques were used to analyze the results. The results showed that after participating in the reading classes, the students had positive perceptions of the IR and ER approaches and found them useful and interesting. The results also showed that the learners felt that their language skills improved significantly after participating in the IR and ER-related activities. Students also found these reading approaches to be complementary to each other. The results also indicated that teachers’ use of intensive reading and extensive reading approaches could make learners skilled and autonomous readers. Ultimately, their reading problems could be solved with these approaches. Moreover, the learners also perceived the use of technology in these two reading approaches as of great benefit to them. The researchers recommend incorporating IR and ER activities into the EFL classroom using digital resources to maximize EFL learners’ reading abilities and other language skills.

Perceptions and Challenges of Undergraduate EFL Students’ towards Audiobooks and Textbooks on the Xreading Website

“…Moreover, the other previous research focused on the Xreading website in the aspect of vocabulary and grammar improvement (Nurhayati, 2023). In addition, the research of digital reading tool is mostly focused on its effectiveness on the students' reading competence in general dimension instead of focusing its features such as audiobook and textbook comprehensively (Ali et al, 2024). By considering these studies, this research aims to explore deeply about the students' perception and challenges when using audiobook and textbook in Xreading website in descriptive qualitative method.…”