Review Article

Promoting extensive reading in EFL contexts: A review of benefits, challenges, and recommendations

La Men 1 * , Kimkong Heng 2 3
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1 The Westline School, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA2 Faculty of Education, Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA3 Cambodian Education Forum, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 8(1), 2026, e2608, https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/18053
Submitted: 14 October 2025, Published: 08 March 2026
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ABSTRACT

Extensive reading (ER) is a form of reading to encourage learners to read pleasurably without having pressure to take a test after reading. The core principle of ER is that students are motivated to read the materials they select by themselves, and such materials are easy and interesting for them. This article aims to discuss the benefits and challenges related to the implementation of ER in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. The article is designed as a narrative literature review drawing on secondary sources to answer the research questions. The review shows that ER has five main benefits, such as improving reading fluency, enhancing listening, speaking, and writing skills, improving vocabulary, enhancing reading motivation, and improving English proficiency. While ER provides many benefits, promoting it or implementing ER in EFL contexts is not without challenges. Key challenges are varied, including limited time for both teachers and students, lack of relevant reading materials, delayed impact of ER, legitimacy issues with ER, lack of support from school leaders for ER, limited knowledge about ER, limited personal experience with ER, lack of motivation for ER, limited professional development opportunities for ER, and the demanding nature of ER principles. The article provides eight recommendations to promote ER, such as raising awareness of ER, planning a budget for ER, assigning a responsible and competent person for ER, creating a community of practice on ER, putting ER into the school curriculum, integrating technology to support ER, fostering students’ motivation and personal investment in reading, and promoting research on ER. The article contributes to the existing body of knowledge on ER by providing a synthesis of key benefits, challenges, and recommendations. It concludes with implications for promoting ER in EFL contexts and suggestions for future research.
Keywords: extensive reading, extensive reading programs, EFL contexts, benefits, challenges, recommendations

CITATION (APA)

Men, L., & Heng, K. (2026). Promoting extensive reading in EFL contexts: A review of benefits, challenges, and recommendations. International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 8(1), e2608. https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/18053

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