The Difference Between Intensive and Extensive Reading

The Difference Between Intensive and Extensive Reading

Reading is one of the most essential skills in learning English. It helps students improve vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and even writing. But not all reading activities are the same. In English language teaching (ELT), teachers often talk about two main types of reading: intensive reading and extensive reading.

Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes and require different classroom approaches. In this post, we’ll explore what each one means, their key differences, their benefits, and how teachers can use both effectively in ESL or EFL classrooms.

 

What Is Intensive Reading?

Intensive reading focuses on accuracy, understanding, and language details. It usually involves short texts such as articles, short stories, or passages from textbooks. The goal is not to read a lot but to understand deeply — every word, phrase, and grammatical structure.

Characteristics of Intensive Reading

Here are the main features of intensive reading:

• Short texts: Usually one or two paragraphs, or a short passage.
• Teacher-guided: The teacher explains difficult words, grammar, and meaning.
• Focus on form and content: Students pay attention to vocabulary, sentence structure, and detailed comprehension.
• Classroom activity: Most intensive reading happens during lessons, not as homework.
• Purpose: To develop reading skills such as skimming, scanning, inferring, and understanding detail.

Example of Intensive Reading

Imagine a teacher gives students a 300-word passage about “Healthy Eating.”
Students:

• Read the passage carefully.
• Highlight new vocabulary.
• Answer comprehension questions.
• Analyze grammar or sentence patterns.
• Discuss the text in pairs or as a group.

The teacher may also use it to teach collocations, tenses, or text structure.

Advantages of Intensive Reading

• Builds vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
• Improves reading comprehension skills.
• Helps students read accurately and understand text meaning.
• Encourages language analysis and discussion.

Disadvantages of Intensive Reading

• Can be slow and time-consuming.
• May not develop reading fluency.
• Students might lose interest if texts are too difficult or academic.

Intensive reading is best used when you want learners to analyze language closely and improve accuracy.

 

What Is Extensive Reading?

Extensive reading, on the other hand, focuses on fluency, enjoyment, and overall understanding. Learners read a lot of material — books, magazines, graded readers, or online articles — at their own level and pace. The goal is to read for pleasure and general meaning, not to study every word.

Characteristics of Extensive Reading

Here are the typical features:

• Longer texts: Novels, graded readers, or stories.
• Student-centered: Learners choose what they want to read.
• Focus on meaning: Understanding the overall message rather than every detail.
• Reading fluency: Students read faster and more naturally.
• Autonomous activity: Often done outside class (e.g., home reading programs).

Example of Extensive Reading

A student chooses a graded reader titled “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
They read a few chapters every week and note interesting expressions or ideas. Later, they discuss the story with classmates or write a short summary.

The focus is not on analyzing grammar or difficult vocabulary, but on enjoying the story and improving comprehension naturally.

Advantages of Extensive Reading

• Encourages a love for reading and English.
• Improves reading speed and fluency.
• Expands vocabulary naturally through context.
• Develops confidence in understanding longer texts.
• Strengthens writing and speaking skills indirectly.

Disadvantages of Extensive Reading

• Hard to monitor every student’s reading progress.
• Some students may choose texts that are too easy or too difficult.
• Requires access to a variety of books or reading materials.

Extensive reading works best when you want learners to enjoy reading and become independent readers.

 

Key Differences Between Intensive and Extensive Reading

To summarize the contrast between these two approaches, let’s compare them side by side:

Aspect	Intensive Reading	Extensive Reading
Purpose	To understand language and details	To enjoy reading and gain general understanding
Text Length	Short passages	Long texts (books, articles, stories)
Focus	Language accuracy, vocabulary, grammar	Meaning, fluency, and enjoyment
Teacher’s Role	Guides and explains	Encourages and monitors progress
Student’s Role	Learns under teacher direction	Reads independently at their own pace
Setting	Classroom-based	Mostly outside class
Outcome	Better comprehension and language analysis	Improved fluency, confidence, and reading habits

Both types complement each other — intensive reading builds foundation and accuracy, while extensive reading builds fluency and motivation.

 

How to Combine Intensive and Extensive Reading in the ESL Classroom

An effective reading program should include both approaches. Here’s how teachers can integrate them:

1. Start with Intensive Reading in Class

Use intensive reading to teach skills such as:

• Guessing word meaning from context
• Identifying the main idea
• Understanding text organization
• Practicing skimming and scanning

After working on comprehension exercises, vocabulary tasks, or grammar points, students will be better prepared for independent reading.

2. Encourage Extensive Reading at Home

After introducing the reading strategies in class, ask students to choose a book or online article to read for pleasure.
You can:

• Create a reading corner in your classroom or library.
• Recommend graded readers at different levels (Oxford, Cambridge, Penguin).
• Use reading logs or book reports to track progress.
• Organize a “Book of the Month” discussion or reading challenge.

This motivates learners to keep reading outside the classroom.

3. Connect Both Approaches

Try linking intensive and extensive reading together. For example:

• Use a short story intensively in class → then assign the full book as extensive reading.
• Discuss vocabulary or themes found in both types of reading.
• Encourage students to share interesting expressions they discovered while reading at home.

This helps students see reading as a continuous, enjoyable process rather than a classroom task.

 

Tips for Teachers

• Provide choice: Let students choose texts that interest them.
• Set realistic goals: Start with short texts and gradually move to longer ones.
• Use technology: Encourage reading e-books, blogs, or graded online stories.
• Make reading visible: Display book covers, student reviews, and reading charts in the classroom.
• Model reading habits: Talk about what you are reading — students will be inspired!

 

Why Both Matter in English Learning

Intensive and extensive reading are not opposites — they complement each other.

• Intensive reading builds a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills.
• Extensive reading builds confidence, fluency, and motivation to use English beyond the classroom.

When used together, they help learners become not just readers of English, but lifelong readers.

 

Final Thoughts

In short, the difference between intensive and extensive reading lies in their focus and purpose.

• Intensive reading is like studying a small piece of music carefully — note by note.
• Extensive reading is like enjoying the whole concert — for pleasure and experience.

A balanced reading program combines both, giving students the tools to understand and the freedom to enjoy English.