Impact of Blended Extensive Reading Program on L2 Reading Proficiency and Fluency

This study investigates the impact of a blended extensive reading (ER) program on the reading proficiency and fluency of first-year nursing students at a university.The research focuses on comparing the efficacy of teacher-guided versus self-directed learning methods within a blended (online and offline) reading context.The study involved 83 freshmen, divided into two groups, one guided by teacher and the other following self-directed learning.The program spanned 15 weeks, during which students had access to a diverse collection of 461 reading materials.The study aimed to assess changes in reading proficiency and fluency through pre-and post-tests including TOEIC, AR(Accelerated Reader-Star Reading Test), Reading Speed, and Reading Speed Comprehension tests.The findings reveal that the teacher-guided group showed significant improvements in TOEIC Reading Comprehension, AR scores, and Reading Speed, while the self-directed group demonstrated less substantial gains.The study highlights differences in online and offline reading preferences between the groups, with the selfdirected group favoring online resources and the teacher-guided group showing a preference for offline materials.This research underscores the importance of teacher involvement in enhancing key reading skills in specialized academic programs and suggests that a balanced approach incorporating both online and offline resources can effectively respond to diverse student learning preferences.The study also sheds light on the nuanced impact of different instructional methods on reading proficiency and fluency.The teacher guided group improved significantly in reading comprehension and speed, offering insights for future curriculum design and teaching strategies in specialized fields like nursing.The findings suggest that integrating structured teacher guidance with the flexibility of self-directed learning might yield optimal outcomes in reading instruction, particularly in specialized academic contexts like Nursing English in ESP.