Young Learners Extensive Reading in Private Language Center: Shifting EFL Teachers' Views more

This action research investigated a center-wide "Reading Challenge" Extensive Reading (ER) program within a private language center catering to Vietnamese EFL young learners (aged 6-12, A1-A2 levels), a context under-researched within the ER literature. The program, successfully conducted annually for four years, was followed by an attempt to integrate ER into individual classrooms. Data collected through pre- and post-program teacher interviews provided insights into teacher beliefs, attitudes, and encountered challenges. Findings revealed that the "Reading Challenge" allowed teachers to recognize its benefits for enhancing students' reading comprehension, vocabulary, and reading habits. However, integrating ER into regular classroom instruction proved challenging in terms of materials and time constraints, hindering widespread adoption. This study identifies key areas for program improvement specific to private language center contexts, offering valuable recommendations for both practitioners and researchers.