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Reading is liberating for me. Once we learn to read it change the overview of the world around us. Some people read to acquire information, and others read to dive deep into an imaginary world of books. As a child, I often enjoyed reading superhero comic books, fables, children’s readers digest and magazines. Later on, in my high school due to excessive study requirements, I hardly manage any time to read to do any extensive reading for pleasure. As an adult, until recently I always enjoyed reading non-fiction books. Recently, I read “Educated” which is a memoir of Tara Westmore. I liked reading non-fiction because it feels more reals, however, after joining this degree program I started reading fiction. The short stories collection from Literature 1 were liberating, as it helped me to analyse a story from the narrator or the writer’s point of view which was a new experience for me. 

We all read in two ways first is intensive reading that is to acquire vocabulary and understand how the language works which is not really for pleasure. However, the second way of text that is extensive reading is distinctive. In this, we read more frequently and mostly for fun. In this type of reading, there is no involvement of assessment or questions. In extensive reading, we are intrinsically motivated to read. The best part is it develops autonomy in learners, and they can visualise and interpret the world in the book as per their comprehension. Learners can bring in their own experience while reading and get into the mind of the characters they are reading and empathise. However, reading fiction has its own benefits.

As per an article in Guardian, empirical research shows that reading fiction improves understanding of others, and this has a fundamental importance in society, not just in the general way making the world a better place by improving interpersonal understanding, but in specific areas such as politics, business, and education (Flood, 2011).

Hence, reading extensively is rewarding but for learners reading fiction help them to be more compassionate and empathetic towards people around them especially adolescent. It is a phase of growing up when most of the learners are confused and try to make sense of the world around them as their brain can think abstract like an adult, but their experience of life is limited to think beyond a certain limit. In this scenario, a fiction book opens up the doors to another world where the learners get the opportunity to pretend whoever they want to be.

So, as a teacher it is essential to take into consideration the type of books students should read. According to Stephen Krashen, the best way to get them to read is to expose them to good books – one very positive reading experience can create a reader. Because the most reliable way to learn the language is through massive and repeated exposure to extensive reading. Reading for pleasure will not only provide the learners with comprehensible input but also give them the power to change their life.

Bibliography

Flood, A. (2011, September 07). Reading fiction ‘improves empathy’, study finds. Retrieved from theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/sep/07/reading-fiction-empathy-study