Resumen:
The absence of motivation can significantly impede one's reading skills. When
individuals lack the drive or interest to engage with written material, their comprehension, retention, and overall reading proficiency may suffer. Motivation serves as a vital catalyst in cultivating a love for reading and nurturing essential cognitive abilities. For this reason, this research project aimed to explore the efficacy of extensive reading as a strategy to improve reading skills among PINE sixth-semester students at Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena. The primary objective was to investigate how extensive reading influences and motivates the development of reading skills in this specific group of students, considering the challenges they may face at this stage of their academic journey. A qualitative method approach was applied, surveys were conducted to find out the impact of extensive reading on their reading skills. The study revealed a positive correlation between extensive reading and enhanced reading skills. Thanks to the gathered information and the previous studies that were researched, Extensive reading proved to be an effective strategy in enhancing reading skills among PINE sixth-semester students. The positive outcomes in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension underscored the potential of extensive reading as a pedagogical approach in higher education. The study emphasized the significance of motivation and personal choice in cultivating students' enthusiasm for reading, recommending the integration of extensive reading programs to promote lifelong reading habits and enhance academic performance. Keywords: Motivation, reading comprehension, extensive, effective strategy, pedagogical approach