I see both extensive and intensive reading approaches as essential yet distinct ways of developing reading skills in the EFL classroom. Extensive reading, in my view, aligns well with emphasis on reading as a process that involves meaning-making through engagement with a variety of texts. When I incorporate extensive reading, I encourage students to explore a range of texts that interest them, helping them develop fluency and confidence by reading broadly and enjoying language without the pressure of close analysis. This supports the view that literacy isn’t just about decoding but about immersion in diverse, meaningful texts that foster a love of reading and broaden cultural knowledge.

On the other hand, intensive reading complements this by focusing on detailed comprehension and analytical skills. Intensive reading allows me to guide students through the complexities of language—vocabulary, syntax, and structure—while breaking down meaning at a deep level. The ideas about the multi-layered nature of reading resonate here; intensive reading encourages students to engage with the text’s subtleties and challenges them to interpret, question, and discuss the deeper meanings embedded in language.