Extensive reading means reading large amounts of relatively easy material without being overwhelmed by unfamiliar language.
The goal is enjoyment and general understanding rather than studying every word or analyzing every sentence. Learners might read graded readers, books written for younger readers, familiar stories, or any other text that feels manageable and engaging.
Extensive reading contrasts with intensive reading, where a learner works through a shorter, more difficult text in detail and may study vocabulary and grammar along the way.
How is extensive reading connected to comprehensible input?
Extensive reading depends on texts that are easy enough to understand without constantly stopping to look up words. The reader can infer some unfamiliar language from context while continuing to follow the meaning.
This makes extensive reading a practical way to receive large amounts of comprehensible input. Over time, repeated exposure can strengthen vocabulary, reading fluency, and an intuitive understanding of how the language is used.
A suitable text should feel comfortable enough that occasional unknown words do not interrupt the reading experience. If every sentence requires analysis or dictionary use, the material is probably better suited to intensive study than extensive reading.