| Do your language learners read enough? Do they | | | | more comprehensive evaluation at the end of the web |
| even like to read? How can you get them to read | | | | quest. Learner responses to exercises and evaluation |
| more in English or another target language? An all too | | | | activities are commonly sent to the teacher by e-mail. |
| common problem in foreign language and EFL learners | | | | There are online sites that can be used to facilitate the |
| is a lack of extensive reading in the target language. | | | | process or a web quest can be set up using a word |
| Extensive reading has numerous benefits for language | | | | processing program like MS Word. Two useful |
| learners. Some key benefits include:o Development of | | | | teaching-oriented sites online for piloting web quests |
| vocabulary in contexto Extensive use of grammar in | | | | are:o at: Quintessential Instructional Archives (QUIA) at: |
| contexto Exposure to authentic languageo Exposure | | | | Online Readings |
| to idioms and expressions of the target language in | | | | The online readings can be any of a broad spectrum |
| contexto Continuing development of learner interest in | | | | of formats or topics:o News and sportso Technicalo |
| a variety of topics | | | | Literatureo Articles and storieso Businesso |
| To avail themselves of these and other featured | | | | Occupational topicso Humorouso Special Interesto |
| benefits derived from extensive reading however, | | | | Travel and cultureo Foodo Nature, geography or |
| learners must in fact read - and read a lot. But learners | | | | Animalso Technology, Computers |
| will rarely jump into a heavy schedule of reading unless | | | | Topic Selection |
| they both understand its benefits and enjoy what they | | | | Topics should be selected and included based on the |
| read. So, stimulating their interest first is paramount to | | | | needs and interests of the learners. With careful |
| success. Here's what you can do. | | | | selection and a three to five station web quest, |
| Use Web Quests | | | | learners have both the opportunity and desire to do |
| One useful and fun way to stimulate or facilitate | | | | more extensive reading in English or another foreign |
| extensive reading is by using learner-centered web | | | | language. |
| quests based on topics of interest to them. An online | | | | F*r*e*e Sample Available |
| web quest is not unlike an electronic scavenger hunt. | | | | For a sample web quest for you to try out for |
| From a starting site or page learners go successively | | | | yourself or your learners, if you have questions or |
| to additional pages to read and gather facts and | | | | need help, e-mail the author using "web quest sample" |
| information. There can be comprehension questions, | | | | in the subject heading. Good Luck. I look forward to |
| charts, graphs, and / or exercises at each stage and a | | | | hearing from you. |