We interviewed Ms. Yoko Ikeda (Professor, Ibaraki University, co-author of "GENKI Japanese Readers"), who practices extensive reading in her classes.

Practice of Extensive Reading Classes

　Ibaraki University offers classes to international students, mainly from the second-half beginner to second-half intermediate level, once a week (*1) for 90 minutes x 15 weeks to support extensive reading (hereinafter called “extensive reading class”). The class activities are below;

1. Initial activity: Approx. 15 minutes [Discussion]

Each student introduces one book in a group of 3-4 students, and the group chooses one book to recommend →Introduce to the whole class

2. Extensive reading: Approx. 60 minutes (*2) [Read + Write a short comment]

Read a book at their own pace and write a short comment on the reading journal

3. Final activity: Approx. 15 minutes [Speak and Share]

The materials are mainly extensive reading materials for Japanese language learners, but we use books for native speakers, picture books, and Manga as well. Sometimes students bring their own books. We tell our students that even intermediate learners should start with beginner level and gradually read more difficult ones. We also tell them at the first orientation that it is important to read many books that they can read easily without a dictionary, although they can consult words they have interest in.

　Group discussion activities are important to share thoughts and ask questions. Talking about books is a good opportunity to turn the input to output that they obtained through extensive reading. In addition, it will be a motivation for students to read books recommended by classmates, and they can share impressions by reading the same books.

　Other than this, students are required to read more books for homework and keep a reading log. Students write a one-page report twice a semester, and share it in the class as a presentation activity. In addition, after the 10th week, students begin to create their original extensive reading books.

Their favorite books change students

　Students who have less reading experience in their native language or who are not good at reading sometimes discover how fun reading is in this extensive reading class. By encountering books they like, they realize that Japanese is interesting and inspiring and they begin to enjoy further reading.
　There is a case where students who like Japanese but have trouble keeping up can follow the class through extensive reading. I believe that the extensive reading classes not only develop their reading skills, but also broaden their learning options.

*1 We have six Japanese classes a week, and one of them is an extensive reading class.
*2 If students are not familiar with reading and find it difficult to spend 60 minutes, we try to take the initial activities and final activities longer, and gradually increase the time for extensive reading

Excerpt from the article in the email newsletter "The Nihongo Times 3rd issue" (Published by The Japantimes Publishing on March 15, 2023).