Early Life and Education Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 25, 1803. His father, William Emerson, was a...Continue
Distinguish between ‘Intensive’ and ‘extensive’ reading.
Reading is a crucial skill in language learning. It can be approached in different ways depending on the goals and needs of the learners. Two common approaches are intensive reading and extensive reading. While both involve reading, their purpose, methods, and outcomes differ.
The table below compares the fundamental differences between these two methods.
| Aspect | Intensive Reading | Extensive Reading |
| Purpose | Focuses on detailed understanding and analysis of a short text. | Focuses on reading large quantities for overall comprehension and enjoyment. |
| Text Length | Involves shorter texts, often a few paragraphs or pages. | Involves longer texts like books, novels, or articles. |
| Reading Speed | Usually slower, with careful attention to each detail. | Faster reading, focusing on general meaning rather than specific details. |
| Vocabulary and Grammar | Emphasizes learning new vocabulary and grammar through close study. | Vocabulary and grammar are acquired incidentally while reading for pleasure. |
| Guidance and Support | Often teacher-directed, with guidance on analysis, translation, and comprehension questions. | Often learner-directed, with minimal teacher intervention, promoting autonomous reading. |
| Type of Materials | Typically academic texts, articles, or excerpts chosen for language study. | A wide range of materials, including fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and newspapers, chosen based on interest. |
| Focus | Emphasizes accuracy and deep comprehension. | Emphasizes fluency, enjoyment, and general comprehension. |
In Conclusion, While intensive reading focuses on in-depth analysis and understanding of specific texts, extensive reading encourages reading for pleasure and overall comprehension. The choice between these methods depends on the learners’ objectives. With intensive reading, it is suited for focused study, and extensive reading is ideal for building reading fluency and enjoyment.