The The Role of Extensive Reading, Fluency, and Motivation in Enhancing Reading Comprehension Skills of Undergraduates in an ESL Context: A Critical Review

Abstract

This study explores the effect of explicit reading strategies on improving the reading comprehension ability of undergraduate students in India, where English is the second language (ESL). This study critically evaluates the applicability of different reading strategies, such as extensive reading, encouragement of the development of fluency, and encouragement of learner motivation which specifically deal with issues faced by ESL learners in the Indian context. Even though the English language is popular in academic and professional spheres, Indian ESL students have problems with reading comprehension because they lack the opportunity to interact with the English language beyond the classroom to enhance their reading skills. The present study seeks to fill this gap by conducting a literature review on the literature that talks about the role played by explicit reading strategies in Indian ESL setting in terms of books, theses, and journal articles. The results show the abundance of reading programs that positively impact vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension, resulting in the elevation of reading proficiency and the significant role motivation has on the interest of the students in reading materials. The study also highlights situational factors, such as how classroom dynamics were integrated, the type of training provided to teachers, and how technological development was used to enhance the efficiency of these interventions. The paper also postulates the means by which these strategies may be incorporated into the ESL curriculum, bearing in mind the diverse cultural backgrounds of the students. This research also provides recommendations for future studies, including conducting studies on longitudinal effects and cross-cultural comparisons.