Improving reading rate activities for EFL students: Timed reading and repeated oral reading

This study investigates the effect of timed reading (TR) and repeated oral reading (RR) on 35 adult students of English as a foreign language. Students in the TR (n =18) and RR (n =17) groups read 52 and 26 passages respectively over a 13-week period. Reading rates and comprehension levels were measured at three occasions: pre-intervention, postintervention, and delayed post-intervention. The reading rate results show that the TR group increased 50 (49%) words per minute (wpm) and 23 wpm (27%) for the RR group. The rate gains of both groups were largely retained after six weeks with no further instructional practice. In terms of comprehension levels, the TR group scored 53%, 67%, and 63%, and the RR group 53%, 60%, and 53% at the pretest, posttest and delayed posttest respectively. Overall, increasing the reading amount for the TR group improved reading rates and comprehension; increasing the reading rate for the RR group did not have a negative impact on reading comprehension. Thus, it is worthwhile including reading rate buildup activities in L2 reading instruction.