It is not the first time I read about narrow reading, and I agree that it can be useful for second language learners. Reading in a second or foreign language is demanding. I believe one needs to be in contact with any aspect of a language over and over before he or she can remember it. When one reads several texts around a similar topic, that person gets in contact with the topic’s content words repeatedly. In the text, they say that “multiple exposures to recurrent words should facilitate vocabulary learning” (p.2.16). In other words, learners get to learn and acquire the content vocabulary because they see it recurrently.
Moreover, they become more competent at reading on that topic, therefore developing confidence in their reading abilities. That could also have to positive effect of motivating them to read even more. On top of learning content words and gaining competence and self confidence, they also continue to acquire function words (article, prepositions, etc.).
Finally, if students choose the topic of their narrow reading, they should be motivated to read. However, an imposed narrow reading topic might be a bad idea… A student who is not interested in a subject might find it quite unpleasant and amotivating to read on that subject for a long time.
Moreover, they become more competent at reading on that topic, therefore developing confidence in their reading abilities. That could also have to positive effect of motivating them to read even more. On top of learning content words and gaining competence and self confidence, they also continue to acquire function words (article, prepositions, etc.).
Finally, if students choose the topic of their narrow reading, they should be motivated to read. However, an imposed narrow reading topic might be a bad idea… A student who is not interested in a subject might find it quite unpleasant and amotivating to read on that subject for a long time.
STRATEGY: Agreeing / arguing with the author
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