Attitudes and Barriers to Extensive Reading at Red Sea University in Sudan

Abstract

This study is theoretical in nature and aims to examine the distinction between extensive reading and intensive reading. It also explores the potential role of extensive reading in supporting foreign language acquisition. The study also shows attitudes and barrierso extensive reading among undergraduate students of English at Red Sea University in Sudan. The descriptive method was employed to carry out this study where a questionnaire for a random sample of (70) undergraduate students of English at the Red Sea University was designed. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Packages of Social Sciences. Besides positive attitudes of the students to extensive reading, the study has revealed various barriers to extensive reading. Among others, the participants have shown that they are not motivated to do extensive reading in English, and they lack the appropriate extensive reading materials. They also have revealed that they are busy with their university language courses and lack time to practice extensive reading. The study recommends the use of extensive reading as a means of improving the overall language proficiency of EFL learners at Red Sea University.