Extensive Reading for the EAP Program
By Paul Cooke, ACE Assistant Director of Studies

Last month I wrote about the importance of Extensive Reading, also known as Graded Reading in the EAP program. Although our students find reading in English quite challenging, many of them actually really like the Graded Readers we have available in ACE. Many ACE students join ACE's book club in the Children's Program, Young Learners Program, and the GEP programs, and start enjoying novels and non-fiction early on in their English Language Learning careers. Extensive Reading is formally introduced in ACE's EAP program with students reading at least one, and often two graded readers, as part of their term's language learning activities. In fact, many students read more than the one or two set graded readers, with some reading as many as six or seven books a term.

Remember that the more you read, the more you will understand in English, the better your grammar and writing will be, the more vocabulary you will learn, and best of all you will have an entertaining hobby.

Birghid Kelly, Siem Reap EAP Teacher

Teaching Extensive Reading, in addition to the other materials in the EAP program at ACE is beneficial and really enjoyable for a number of reasons. Students get a chance to experience different perspectives and experiences of the world through the eyes of the characters in the texts, ultimately enriching their critical thinking and grasp on international perspectives. In addition, the study of literature should be enjoyable and give students a chance to learn to read for pleasure, experiencing language in a way that is different and deeper than scanning for answers in a test. Personally, I have had the pleasure of seeing students who complained bitterly about reading non-fiction become completely engrossed in a story and thus change their entire attitude towards their own language learning and education.

Priyalen Chhoeur, EAP student - Of Mice and Men

Since EAP 2, the first step of my EAP journey, I have been in love with the novels that ACE has given me to read. I used to hate reading novels, but since my teacher gave me a short novel called Of Mice and Men, I started to change the way I look at novels. I can say that Of Mice and Men is the best book I have ever read. It helps to improve my English words, and it also contains some lessons in the plot. When I finished reading it, I strongly believed that I was going to read many more interesting books. My belief was right and all the novels on the way of the EAP journey did catch my interest.

Seoun Sam Neang, EAP student - Of Mice and Men

I would like to share my feeling about graded readers in the EAP program at ACE. I have been studying at ACE for four terms since level 12. When I went on to EAP 2, my teacher gave me Of Mice and Men to read, it was very useful to me to learn new vocabulary and understand profoundly about English grammar structures and collocations. I believe that this is a good way to improve students’ learning ability and the culture of reading that would help a lot, such as boosting their English proficiency, getting to know more general knowledge, and understanding useful English documents to enhance their personal skills at the public school, as well as applying for their dream job.

Rann Angkea Vicheka, EAP student - Bride Price

I’ve been studying EAP for four terms now and what's special about joining the course is the novels that teachers give us to read and some of the novels are pretty interesting. The novel called Bride Price has caught my attention since the beginning. What’s special about this novel is that I can relate to the situation of the story and it took place in Nigeria in Africa. The bride price situation is also happening in Cambodia as well, so it’s been a pleasure to read it and knowing the similarity of it. This is my first time enjoying reading EAP novels and surprisingly I was so into it that I nearly skipped meals just to read it. The book is only 90 pages so it took about an hour and a half to read it.

All in all I like it so much and I hope that the next novel I read will be as interesting as The Bride Price. Thank you for making the EAP course fun and enjoyable. Personally reading books is a habit for me and by giving free novels to me is great and its helps me improve my English skills and knowledge.

Sok Rem, EAP student - The Bride Price and Animal Farm

I am Sok Rem, a monk, studying AEP 6 at ACE, Siem Reap campus. To be honest, a few years ago, I was not really interested in novels at all, but now I really like them since I've been studying at ACE. I have read several novels including Great Expectations, Animal Farm and The Bride Price so far. They are so amazing because they show me about the authentic situations in a society or the world. Additionally, they are about social, cultural and political facts. For example, The Bride Price is about culture, and how society works in Nigeria, people follow their traditions as well as show their social status by behaving and treating others in their group. Animal Farm illustrates about the politics that needs to change. In this story, the animals threw out the humans and rule their society themselves because they thought that humans were cruel and had no mercy. In fact, this story is about communism because the animals wanted freedom and stated that all animals were equal, but this idea does not work because the pigs and their followers were so selfish and caused sorrow and tragedy. Therefore, I can learn these things by just reading them and then I can also compare with my own society with the societies in the books I have read. Therefore, I strongly believe that these novels are beneficial and useful because they provide me with some basic knowledge to direct my life in the right direction. In addition, I can learn to be a simply good person from these novels because the morals and themes of them are my guideline.

Sokunthea Neak, EAP student

Nowadays most people in Asia prefer watching movies while European people like to read books. Today, many people all around the world are motivated to read books more than watching online movies. Reading provides many opportunities to achieve their goals. For instance, in every school most teachers encourage pupils to read books more than surfing the internet. Reading novels is essential, and allows students to gain a lot of new ideas from one day to one day. Foreign students who study English and read English novels provides them with a lot of vocabulary and improves their writing skills.

In addition, reading is the best medicine to help people feel relaxed. When people feel bored, or have nothing to do, they can grab a book and start to read so they can feel better due to the book providing them with a lot of interesting things so their stress will fade away. Every book contains a lot of entertainment which can help people laugh, feel sad or scared, and so on. Overall, reading has a lot of benefits. It is such a candle which can light people from the dark place to grab their opportunities what they want to achieve. Books are like our best friend, which never betray us but help us to achieve our goals.

Leak Sophavatey, EAP student - Flower of Despair

Reading has always been one of my favorite things to do. I always make sure that I'm reading something whenever I have time. The genres that I like to read are mostly fantasy, sci-fi, horror and romance. It makes me forget about the stresses that I'm facing and be in my own world for a moment. There is a fiction that I like called Flower of Despair by Dreamy Flower. It is about two people who had an unfortunate fate and were treated very cruelly in an unfair world. However, they were not changed by the evil things and remained optimistic. They fought through the obstacles and overcome the difficulties together. It is such a beautiful story that touches my heart and make me realise that happiness can be found even during difficult times.

Siha Panha, EAP student - The inspiration of reading

I'm writing in order to share my very own experience of reading. If I rethink the past, it would be my dad constantly forcing me to read from days to months to years. I admit that I hated reading but things flipped when I graduated from GEP 12. From then on, I started making myself keen on reading. Therefore, I tried some English written magazines. One of my favorite magazines is the Southeast Asia Globe, a monthly magazine that updates news about ASEAN countries.

I have always been keeping in my mind that reading is the knowledge for life. What has always stuck in my mind is "Read whatever you like, just do it". So, besides from magazines, I have also gone through with some books. I love some sorts of historical books. Sometimes, I prefer a book that implies and somehow involves a bit of politics such as Animal Farm, which George Orwell compares the rebellion on the farm to the Russian Revolution.

Reading lets you know what is happening to the world, which has encouraged me to get involved with different aspects of different societies. It makes me understand the equality of humanity. Reading teaches me a lot in life. It tells me that everyone is smart, everyone is equal, everyone has problems, and they need to fight.

All in all, I would say that to be a good reader, or anything else, you must set goals and you must do it. For me, I would read, learn and inspire other people.

Sok Theary, EAP student - Love Story

I am reading a book called Love Story by Erich Segal. It is about a man named Oliver Barrette who is a big Harvard sportsman. He is rich, clever and good with girls. Jennifer Cavilleri is a music student. She is beautiful, clever and she thinks big Harvard sportsmen are stupid. When they meet, they fall in love. But is any love story without problems? Oliver's father is a banker and Jennifer's father is a poor baker. This is a story about different kinds of loving. Oliver finds it easy to love his father. Jennifer teaches him about loving, dying and being strong. And Oliver learns that "Love means you never have to say you're sorry". This book makes me laugh at the first part. They argue and they fight but then they end up falling in love. It also makes me want to cry in the end because Jennifer died because of blood disease. She should not have died after they both did the hard work to enhance their living condition as well as to live together. I expected finally they could live with each other happily ever after. One more thing that I learned from this story is "Love means you never have to say you're sorry", which I personally think that we always forgive if we truly love each other. Nothing cannot be forgiven when we talk about love.

Than Monida , EAP student - Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights is a kind of sad love story from Emily Bronte. It is set on the wild, lonely Yorkshire moors. It's a heart breaking story about a high class women falling in love with a more lowly born man who is not interested in her money. The reason that I Love this book is because it was written in the mid 1800s by a women, and it surprises the reader that the writer is a women in that period. Moreover, the writer died young and her powerful story still touches people's hearts to this day. I really appreciate her work in this story and Wuthering Heights also shows the reality that people fight so hard for their love.

Name: Pheaktra, EAP student - The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars is one of the most interesting books written by John Green. A novel of life and death and the people caught in between. The Fault In Our Stars expresses the fear of something powerful, uncomplicated and uncontrollable. This novel is about a girl named Hazel who is a survivor from lung cancer after successful treatment that has bought her a few more years. Hazel's life is completely lonely and boring. The final chapter is about her diagnosis but with a gorgeous plot twist which happens when a man, named Augustus Waters, suddenly appears at Cancer Kids support group. Hazel's story is about to be completely changed. She was inspired by his cancer story and how much he has been trying to fight cancer. Hazel's life and the way she saw the world changed day by day. She and Augustus became lovers and Hazel’s life gets brighter and brighter. However, nothing lasts forever. Augustus died from the last stage of cancer and leaves Hazel with their happy and sad memories.

This novel makes me realize the thrilling, funny and tragic business of being alive and in love. Moreover, I can feel the pain of Hazel and Augustus's parents. They already died inside since the day they found their children were diagnosed with cancer. This novel also inspires me to be optimistic with my life. I know I am not the only one who has lost a loved one to cancer, and it teaches me how to live my life without them.

Sopheak, EAP student - The Fault In Our Stars

I enjoy reading because it can improve my English vocabulary. Plus, I can learn new things and form new opinions. I'm currently reading a book called The Fault In Our Stars, which was written by this brilliant author called John Green. This book is about two young cancer patients who fall in love with each other. But later the male character dies. The reason why I love this book is because it pictures life and death truthfully. Furthermore, the Fault in our stars has also taught me that the world is not a wish-granting factory. Beyond this, this book is romantic, humorous and depressing at the same time.

Pagnarith Pit, EAP student - Percy Jackson

Recently, I have been reading a book called Percy Jackson. The story is about Percy Jackson who is half-human and half-god and is the main character. He and his companions go on quests to save the world again and again. The story is filled with action and adventures to keep readers dazzled. I love this book because it allows me to improve my reading skill in a very enjoyable and exciting way. The outside reality dissolves into a world of imagination. The imagination knows no bounds as new chapters take you to a different world and introduce a different thrill. From time to time, the excitement can make you breathless. Reading your favorite books improves your reading skill and turns it from being a task to a new desire and a hobby.

Panharasmey Pit, EAP student - Heroes of Olympus

Long ago, Greece was a powerful country. Therefore, their religions, traditions and beliefs have influenced so many other countries and nations. Imagine that you are a Greek god's descendant, how interesting your life would be with extraordinary powers. Heroes of Olympus, written by Rick Riordan, presents Poseidon's son, Percy Jackson, and his demigod friends as they set out to defeat the Titans and Giants, and to put the Evil Earth goddess, Gaia, to sleep once and for all. They need to decrypt prophecies, travel from New York to Greece and defeat Gaia before time runs out. This book means a lot to me because I believe that there is always a little of god in us all. Rick Riordan's book makes sure that readers are entertained and fascinated. Overall, Heroes of Olympus is my favorite book so far because it is packed with comedy, romance, and action that keeps you wanting more. I would recommend this book to everyone that enjoys science fiction.
San Tthiatrya, EAP student - ANZAC Girls

I have read lots of English books. However, one of the most interesting books, which I really like the most, was called ANZAC Girls. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Girls is a book about the Great War, World War I. Forty- five Australian and New Zealand nurses died while serving overseas. The nurses who left for the war were looking for adventure and romance, but what they were confronted with were challenges, which their civilian lives could never have prepared them for. Their strength and dignity were remarkable. During World War I, soldiers faced fear and experienced the most horrific battlefronts. Furthermore, when winter hit the soldiers suffered more from disease than injury. Fortunately, a group of nurses were there to help them. The reason that I really like this book is that it helps me a lot in enhancing my knowledge of military vocabulary, which I have never learned before. In addition, it represents the humanity shown by compassionate women who had sacrificed their energy, beauty, and passion helping soldiers. I am very proud of them.

Song Huymey , EAP student - Dracula

Dracula was written in 1897 by Bram Stoker. There are three reasons why I liked Dracula. Firstly, it is about the culture in Transylvania. For example, people in Transylvania believe in vampires. They believe vampires do not die. They rested during the day and moved during the night. Transylvanian people had many ways to protect themselves from vampires and destroy vampires. It is unbelievable for me, but it is a true story in that country. Secondly, I love reading this book because of the strong female character. She is Mina, Jonathan's wife. She is not the main character, but she is one of them. She is active and intelligent in this story. Thirdly, the story is very exciting so I did not get bored, and I could read text very quickly. The words in the text are also not difficult. To sum up, I love reading this book because it shows about the belief in Transylvania, the strong female, Mina, and the story is short. The story of Dracula is amazing.

Ly Lipheng , EAP student - Dracula

I have read a book, which is called Dracula. It is such an amazing story about a vampire from a long time ago in Transylvania, which is a region in Romania and probably the best known one. Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram stoker. The book is famous for introducing the vampire character, Count Dracula. The novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England, so he may find new blood and spread the undead curse. In addition, there is the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. At the end, the group led by Van Helsing destroy Count Dracula and people can live happily without having to worry about losing their relatives or their loved ones. After I read this book, I felt a bit scared but I really enjoyed it. I can also know about the history of Transylvania.

Kang Niy Soriya, EAP student - To Kill a Mocking Bird

This book was written by Harper Lee in 1960. I think this book is brilliant because there are a few things that I have learnt from it. First, Atticus told his children that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around it”. To me it means to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes to understand them. Secondly, he said, “Remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird”. Mockingbirds do not eat people’s gardens, do not nest in corncribs, but make music for us to enjoy; they sing their heart out for us. Finally, Atticus told Scout to keep fighting even if she knows she is going to lose. Somehow, to me, I feel like he is trying to tell her not to give up, keep fighting until your last breath. Therefore, three things that I have learned from this book are some things that could happen in our daily lives. This book has also received many awards and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. This is totally incredible, so why don’t you read it once if you haven’t read it? There might also be many other things you can learn from the book.

Lek Bunheng, EAP student - Rich Dad Poor Dad

Most people enjoy reading all kinds of books when they have free time. This activity will offer them more general knowledge and feel relaxed. For me, I enjoyed reading a book called Rich Dad Poor Dad the most, because it includes many life experiences about financial management that we never learn from school. Moreover, it also convinces us to leave the “Rat Race”. That is one of the lessons from the book. This means “stop thinking about working for money, and start thinking about getting the money to works for us”. Every lesson that appears on this book will come with a short quote which is very meaningful. However, the author of this book Robert Kiyosaki says that higher education and a job don’t guarantee wealth and he compares the studies of his two dads as well.

Oum Ratanakvisal, EAP student - Great Expectations

My favourite book is called Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. This book is about a boy named Pip who is an orphan living with his abusive sister and the kind-hearted village’s blacksmith, Joe Gargery. Pip is ashamed of himself because he is not well-educated. He has great expectations but these are in danger of ruining his life. The story includes wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and much more. It was a very wonderful and enjoyable book that I’ve ever read. Besides, it gave me hundreds of new words and expressions that help me improve my reading, speaking and writing. I learnt a lot from the book. My friends and I have always recommended to each other the books that we have enjoyed so we exchange books. We also exchange and broaden our knowledge at the same time. I highly recommend that all students read as many books as you can and take advantage of from those books as well.

Kou Vathana, EAP student - Love story

Reading is one skill among the four skills, which every student needs to be good at. Reading can improve both reading and writing skills. You can learn lots of new vocabulary and sentence structures from them. I’ve experienced it already and it works. Before, I was poor at reading and writing then my teacher advised me to read books. Therefore, I followed his advice and read one book, the title of it is Love story. It was about one boy and one girl who loved each other since high school. They wanted to get married, but the girl’s parents wouldn’t permit it. They said that they were too young and should concentrate on their study. Moreover, the boy was too poor to take care of their daughter. Anyway, the boy tried to study hard and after graduating from university, he had a good job, so the girl’s parents allowed them to be together and get married. Unfortunately, after good things have happened, bad things also came along. That girl had breast cancer and would die soon. The man stayed with her and tried to comfort her in every second. At the end, the girl went to heaven and left the man alone in the big world. It was a very sad story and I wanted to cry when I read it. It showed me what true love is. Your partner won’t leave you if he really loves you from the bottom of his or her heart. The meaning of that book was to take care and support the person you love in any situation. Of course, I learnt lots of new vocabulary and I can also identify the moral of the story. That’s why reading is very important for us.

Chan Sophalgnean, EAP student - Harry Potter

A few months ago, I read a series of books called Harry Potter. The author wants to show that love does exist and it is beautiful and priceless. Harry Potter, a kind and brave man, is the main character. He was raised by his aunt’s family, who never treated him well, as his parents died when he was a baby. He was never loved or cared for by the people around him when he was a child. However, one day he goes to Hogwarts, a school for wizards, where he has some good friends. However, his life is so risky since someone is always hunting for his life. Moreover, he loses important people around him because they try to protect him. That makes him very emotionally hurt. However, he never gives up. He believes in the love which people around him give him. It gives him courage to stand up to any difficulties as well as fight against the dark forces for everyone.

Serey Rath, EAP student

Normally, I read a lot of international novels, sometimes fanfictions too. I like to read something that only exists in our imagination where everything is perfect, filled with romance, depressing and more. After I had read the two English novels from the past levels, including another one this term, I feel like it’s a new lesson for me, as I’ve never read any English novels before. It sort of improved my vocabulary and leads me to a different world. As the stories were written in different forms from the novels that I’ve read before, it challenges me to use my imagination in different ways too. Reading novels is as interesting as watching a film on television. Moreover, you develop empathy for people and understand how they are feeling.