Role of Extensive Reading in Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, and Reading Speed: A Systematic Literature Review

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Title: Role of Extensive Reading in Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, and Reading Speed: A Systematic Literature Review
Language: English
Authors: Sibo Liu (ORCID 0009-0008-9728-9723), Mohd Rashid Bin Mohd Saad (ORCID 0000-0002-1050-294X)
Source: Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics. 2025 11(1):87-99.
Availability: Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics. Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Anafartalar Campus Faculty of Education Department of Foreign Language Education, Canakkale 07100, Turkey. e-mail: editor@ejal.info; Website: https://ejal.info/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Reading Rate, Reading Comprehension, Research Reports, Information Retrieval, Vocabulary Development, Databases, Reading Habits, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Linguistic Input, Linguistic Theory, Inferences, Reading Fluency, Word Frequency, Teaching Methods, Reading Processes, Critical Thinking, Skill Development, Retention (Psychology), Reading Material Selection, Personal Autonomy, Learner Engagement, Information Technology, Research Needs
ISSN: 2149-1135
Abstract: The practice of extensive reading (ER) is widely recognised as an effective approach to language acquisition, facilitating vocabulary expansion, text comprehension, and reading fluency. This study examines the role of ER in enhancing these aspects, offering a structured analysis of its impact on language learning. Drawing upon Krashen's Input Hypothesis and Automaticity Theory, the research explores how ER promotes natural language acquisition through repeated exposure to contextually rich texts. A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was adopted, concentrating on peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024. Ten high-quality studies were selected through a rigorous keyword search, Boolean operators, and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria applied across academic databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. The analysis highlights ER's critical role in vocabulary acquisition, as it enables learners to encounter words in meaningful contexts, thereby enhancing retention and deepening understanding of lexical nuances. Regarding reading comprehension, ER was found to strengthen critical thinking skills, including inference and identifying central ideas, while also increasing motivation and engagement through self-selected reading materials. Additionally, ER was shown to improve reading fluency and speed by familiarising learners with high-frequency vocabulary and common linguistic structures, facilitating more efficient text processing over time. The findings confirm ER as an essential pedagogical strategy in language education, providing a comprehensive framework for skill development. Practical recommendations include integrating ER into curricula, ensuring access to diverse reading resources, and employing digital tools to enhance learner engagement. However, the study's reliance on secondary data and its limited focus on implementation challenges suggest the need for further research in these areas.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1465146
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Role of Extensive Reading in Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, and Reading Speed: A Systematic Literature Review
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sibo+Liu%22">Sibo Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9728-9723">0009-0008-9728-9723</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mohd+Rashid+Bin+Mohd+Saad%22">Mohd Rashid Bin Mohd Saad</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1050-294X">0000-0002-1050-294X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Eurasian+Journal+of+Applied+Linguistics%22"><i>Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics</i></searchLink>. 2025 11(1):87-99.
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  Data: Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics. Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Anafartalar Campus Faculty of Education Department of Foreign Language Education, Canakkale 07100, Turkey. e-mail: editor@ejal.info; Website: https://ejal.info/
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  Data: 13
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Rate%22">Reading Rate</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Comprehension%22">Reading Comprehension</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Reports%22">Research Reports</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Retrieval%22">Information Retrieval</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocabulary+Development%22">Vocabulary Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Databases%22">Databases</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Habits%22">Reading Habits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Linguistic+Input%22">Linguistic Input</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Linguistic+Theory%22">Linguistic Theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inferences%22">Inferences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Fluency%22">Reading Fluency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Word+Frequency%22">Word Frequency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Processes%22">Reading Processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Critical+Thinking%22">Critical Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retention+%28Psychology%29%22">Retention (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Material+Selection%22">Reading Material Selection</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personal+Autonomy%22">Personal Autonomy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Technology%22">Information Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Needs%22">Research Needs</searchLink>
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  Data: 2149-1135
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The practice of extensive reading (ER) is widely recognised as an effective approach to language acquisition, facilitating vocabulary expansion, text comprehension, and reading fluency. This study examines the role of ER in enhancing these aspects, offering a structured analysis of its impact on language learning. Drawing upon Krashen's Input Hypothesis and Automaticity Theory, the research explores how ER promotes natural language acquisition through repeated exposure to contextually rich texts. A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was adopted, concentrating on peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024. Ten high-quality studies were selected through a rigorous keyword search, Boolean operators, and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria applied across academic databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. The analysis highlights ER's critical role in vocabulary acquisition, as it enables learners to encounter words in meaningful contexts, thereby enhancing retention and deepening understanding of lexical nuances. Regarding reading comprehension, ER was found to strengthen critical thinking skills, including inference and identifying central ideas, while also increasing motivation and engagement through self-selected reading materials. Additionally, ER was shown to improve reading fluency and speed by familiarising learners with high-frequency vocabulary and common linguistic structures, facilitating more efficient text processing over time. The findings confirm ER as an essential pedagogical strategy in language education, providing a comprehensive framework for skill development. Practical recommendations include integrating ER into curricula, ensuring access to diverse reading resources, and employing digital tools to enhance learner engagement. However, the study's reliance on secondary data and its limited focus on implementation challenges suggest the need for further research in these areas.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 87
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Rate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reading Comprehension
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research Reports
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Retrieval
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      – SubjectFull: Vocabulary Development
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      – SubjectFull: Databases
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Habits
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      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Linguistic Input
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      – SubjectFull: Linguistic Theory
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inferences
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Fluency
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Word Frequency
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reading Processes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Critical Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
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      – SubjectFull: Retention (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Material Selection
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      – SubjectFull: Research Needs
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      – TitleFull: Role of Extensive Reading in Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension, and Reading Speed: A Systematic Literature Review
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            NameFull: Mohd Rashid Bin Mohd Saad
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              Y: 2025
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