DESCRIPTION
This booklet contains the main information about teaching one of
the macro skills that is: READING
Gabriela Beltrán, Dayana Interiano, Douglas Rivera,
Giovanny Magaña, Edgardo Rosas.
TEACHING OF READING
Skills about teaching of reading
What is Reading? Teaching Reading
"Reading" is the process of looking at a series of written Traditionally, the purpose of learning to read in a language has
symbols and getting meaning from them. When we read, we been to have access to the literature written in that language. In
use our eyes to receive written symbols (letters, punctuation language instruction, reading materials have traditionally been
marks and spaces) and we use our brain to convert them into chosen from literary texts that represent "higher" forms of
words, sentences and paragraphs that culture.
communicate something to us.
This approach assumes that students learn to read a language
Reading can be silent (in our head) by studying its vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure,
or aloud (so that other people can not by actually reading it. In this approach, lower level learners
hear). read only sentences and paragraphs generated by textbook
writers and instructors. The reading of authentic materials is
Reading is a receptive skill - through it we limited to the works of great authors and reserved for upper
receive information. But the complex process of reading also level students who have developed the language skills needed
requires the skill of speaking, so that we can pronounce the to read them.
words that we read. In this sense, reading is also a productive
skill in that we are both receiving information and transmitting Reading Purpose and Reading Comprehension
it (even if only to ourselves).
Reading is an activity with a
Reading is the third of the four language skills, which are: purpose. A person may read
in order to gain information
1. Listening or verify existing knowledge,
2. Speaking or in order to critique a
3. Reading writer's ideas or writing style.
4. Writing A person may also read for
enjoyment, or to enhance
knowledge of the language
being read. The purpose(s)
for reading guide the reader's
selection of texts.
The purpose for reading also determines the appropriate Reader knowledge, skills, and strategies include
approach to reading comprehension. A person who needs to
know whether she can afford to eat at a particular restaurant Linguistic competence: the ability to recognize the
needs to comprehend the pricing information provided on the elements of the writing system; knowledge of
menu, but does not need to recognize the name of every vocabulary; knowledge of how words are structured
appetizer listed. A person reading poetry for enjoyment needs into sentences
to recognize the words the poet uses and the ways they are put Discourse competence: knowledge of discourse
together, but does not need to identify main idea and markers and how they connect parts of the text to one
supporting details. However, a person using a scientific article another
to support an opinion needs to know the vocabulary that is Sociolinguistic competence: knowledge about different
used, understand the facts and cause-effect sequences that are types of texts and their usual structure and content
presented, and recognize ideas that are presented as hypotheses Strategic competence: the ability to use top-down
and givens. strategies (see Strategies for Developing Reading Skills
for descriptions), as well as knowledge of the language
Reading research shows that good readers (a bottom-up strategy)
Read extensively
Integrate information in the text with existing Why Read?
knowledge You probably know that even
Have a flexible reading style, depending on what they in your own language reading
are reading is regarded as important
Are motivated because it can be entertaining
Rely on different skills interacting: perceptual and educational, can open up
processing, phonemic processing, recall new worlds and enrich your
Read for a purpose; reading serves a function life, and can improve hand-eye co-ordination and
enhance social skills.
Reading as a Process
Reading is an interactive process that goes on between the Reading is an essential skill for language learners. When your
reader and the text, resulting in comprehension. The text reading skills improve, your listening, speaking and writing
presents letters, words, sentences, and paragraphs that encode skills improve too. Here are some of the specific reasons why
meaning. The reader uses knowledge, skills, and strategies to English learners are encouraged to read in English:
determine what that meaning is.
The constant repetition of words and patterns in reading Think about what you like to read in your native language. Can
helps you learn and remember vocabulary and grammar you find these written materials in English?
structures.
There are two important things in deciding what to read:
Reading helps you become familiar with the rhythm of
English. Over time it will start to feel natural and you 1. It should interest you, so that the reading is fun and not
will notice when a sentence or phrase doesn't seem boring.
right. 2. It should be at a level that is not too difficult for you.
Unlike conversation, reading is something you can do
on your own.
Here are some types of reading material to try:
Reading is not expensive, often free.
books (including children's books and graded readers)
Good reading skills can improve your other language
newspapers
skills. You need to learn to read before you can write.
online news articles (try EC's easy news)
Reading is the best way to learn and remember the online blogs about topics that interest you (search for
proper spelling of words. "top 10 blog" lists by topic)
letters (personal and commercial)
Listening as you read along can help you improve your transcripts (of some online videos) and sub-titles on
pronunciation skills. films
short stories (try these on EC)
poetry
proverbs
cartoons and jokes
What to Read recipes for cooking
advertisements and brochures
Are you overwhelmed by the reading materials that are
available? Without spending a penny, you can read printed
texts (books, magazines, newspapers at the library), online
materials (websites and blogs), and eBooks (on your mobile
devices).
Reading Strategies
Here are some strategies for improving your comprehension Summarize or retell: you can do this by writing a letter
skills. to a friend, writing a blog post, making a web cam
video, or just starting a conversation on this topic.
Skim: read for the brief idea or overview.
Learn affixes: prefixes and suffixes. This will increase
Scan: read for specific details or a specific reason. your word recognition.
KWL: determine what you Know about the topic, what Keep a vocabulary journal.
you Want to know, and what you Learned.
Get a vocabulary partner.
Skip: if you don't understand a word or section, keep
reading ahead. Come back to the section or word again Use a pen or ruler. Some people find it is easier to read
and try to figure out the meaning. Use a dictionary if with a pacer. A pen, ruler or fingertip can help you keep
necessary. your place and prevent your eyes from wandering off.
This may not be suitable if you are reading on a
Look for headings, subtitles and keywords. computer or mobile device. Adjust the screen to a larger
size if necessary.
Read out loud: children read out loud when they first
start reading. You can too. Get comfortable hearing
your English voice.
Create timelines or charts: reorganize what you read in Reading Levels
a different format.
It is important to read texts that are at the right level for you -
Rewrite in a different tense. not too easy, not too difficult.
Rewrite in a different format: for example, rewrite an You need to know what your personal reading level is. (Note
article in letter or list form. that your reading level may not be the same as your overall
level in English. For example, your reading level is normally
Illustrate: if you think you’re a visual learner, sketch higher than your writing level, and higher than your overall
images or an infographic related to what you read. level.)
Write the questions: as you read, think about which Ask your teacher to help you determine your reading level. If
questions you might find on a test or quiz. Write them you don’t have a teacher, try reading a few texts from different
down and answer them, or quiz a friend.
levels. If you have to look up a lot of words in a dictionary, the 6. Visualize what you are reading. Some people try to
text is too difficult for you. If you don't have to look up any imagine they are reading a movie or a how-to video.
words, the text is too easy for you. Try something at a lower or
higher level. A teacher, librarian or bookstore clerk can help 7. Listen and read. Find podcasts or videos that have
you find something easier or more difficult. transcripts and read along silently. You can also read
out loud with the recording.
You can also try our reading test to help determine your
reading level. 8. Relate what you read to your own life. How does the
reading apply to you?
Designate a place and time for reading every day. Your reading level
will increase with time. 9. Think about the author or journalist. How would the
reading differ if you were the author?
10 Reading Tips 10. Check your eyesight. If you haven't had your eyesight
checked in the last few years, make an appointment.
1. Read at a level slightly lower than what you
understand. You should not have to look up a lot of
words. It's okay to look up a few words.
2. Make reading a ritual. Choose a time and place to read
every day or week. Commit to this reading time as if it
were a job.
3. Read what interests you.
4. Understand what you'll be tested on. If you're working
on your reading skills for a particular test, make sure to
learn about the test. There may be specific formats such
as advertisements that you'll have to read in the test.
5. Find free reading materials. Project Gutenberg is an
excellent source, but be careful with public domain
books that are written in outdated English. Some words
and expressions are no longer in use.
