Using Extensive Reading to Develop Non-major Students’ Reading Skill at Hochiminh City University of Food Industry in Vietnam

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the benefits extensive reading can bring to non-major students and lectures at Hochiminh City University of Food Industry (HUFI). The study addressed a main research question and two sub-research questions related to extensive reading: How does extensive reading develop students’ reading comprehension and improve vocabulary at Hochiminh City University of Food Industry? Two sub-research questions: To what extent could extensive reading help to enhance students’ reading skill? The participants of this study were non-major students at HUFI in Vietnam. The research instruments used in this study to collect data were three main instruments, namely Reading Tests (including Pre-Reading Test and Post-Reading Test), Questionnaire, and Interview. The result of data analysis revealed a significant difference. The findings suggested that innovating lectures’ teaching methods by extensive reading could help students improve their reading ability, particularly their reading comprehension and vocabulary, by engaging them in a systematic extensive reading program.