Idea from: Maria Spelleri - on TESL-L
I learned that the instructor needs to provide concrete steps for the
students to follow as they develop reading skills. You can't explain
what a main idea is and say "Find the main idea." The steps that a
naturally good reader follows subconsciously must be made conscious for
many learners. For example, we can begin looking for the main idea by
figuring out what the topic is. We can figure out what the topic is by
circling words that seem to appear with some frequency in a text. (A
passage on vast and intricate international marketing of Coca-Cola will
likely have the word "market" "countries" "Coca-Cola" in it many times.)
Once students establish that the general topic is about marketing Coke
in different countries, etc.
The "Think Aloud" strategy for self- awareness of a cognitive process
has been used with great promise in reading comprehension. The basic
premise is that students are taught to verbalize what is going on in
their heads as they read, stopping often to question aloud or verbalize
an image that comes to their mind as they read. Here are some websites
with some basics on the idea:
http://www.rogerfarr.com/mcr/usingta/usingta.html
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=139
http://www.brevard.edu/fyc/listserv/remarks/calderandcarlson.htm
I wanted to share this great collection of on-line journal articles
that examine studies, trends, and ideas in reading instruction,
especially as it pertains to English for Speakers of Other Languages. Be
sure to copy the entire link.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/esol/esolonline/teachers/prof_read/sections/read
ing_sec_e.php
Monday
Idea from: TESL-L -
Maria Spelleri
The past two semesters I have made vocabulary flashcards a graded
requirement of a reading class rather
than just a suggestion. I have been pleased with the results. Students
seem to have more control and organization in their vocabulary learning-
and they seem to learn more long term- not just for a test. For each
reading unit, I provide a list of words that they need to know, and at
the beginning of the semester, I show them how I want the flashcards set
up. On one side is the word to be learned, centered, in large letters,
with its part of speech abbreviated next to it; in the bottom left
corner, students write 1 or 2 other grammatical forms of the word. On
the back, students write the sample sentence from their dictionary at
the top (underlining the new word), a definition in the center, an L1
translation bottom left, and keep space to write an original sentence on
the bottom center and right. Students write an original sentence as they
learn the word better.
I had one student who just absolutely refused to do flashcards
because he said he didn't like to learn that way. He just wanted to make
a list of words with a definition. Even though he is one of the most
orally fluent students, he consistently scored lowest in vocabulary.
Another student in another class wouldn't follow any format on his
cards. On many he didn't write sample sentences, on others he had other
missing elements and inconsistent layout. Despite his belief that he
knew the vocabulary, he was usually the lowest scorer in that class.
Maybe it was the flashcards, or maybe their refusal to go along with
their classes was an indication of other learning issues.
Nonetheless, most students carried around their flashcards and used
them. I gave them little bits of time to quiz each other in class; I
created "quizzes" that allowed students to refer to flashcards. I
sometimes would ask students to pull out a specific card and notice what
preposition came after the word in their sample sentences. They got very
comfortable with the cards and nearly all said they believed the cards
were a great help. I'll definitely require them again. By the way, the
students are a low and a high intermediate level, and we use The
American Heritage English as a Second Language Dictionary by Houghton
Mifflin.
Maria Spelleri
The past two semesters I have made vocabulary flashcards a graded
requirement of a reading class rather
than just a suggestion. I have been pleased with the results. Students
seem to have more control and organization in their vocabulary learning-
and they seem to learn more long term- not just for a test. For each
reading unit, I provide a list of words that they need to know, and at
the beginning of the semester, I show them how I want the flashcards set
up. On one side is the word to be learned, centered, in large letters,
with its part of speech abbreviated next to it; in the bottom left
corner, students write 1 or 2 other grammatical forms of the word. On
the back, students write the sample sentence from their dictionary at
the top (underlining the new word), a definition in the center, an L1
translation bottom left, and keep space to write an original sentence on
the bottom center and right. Students write an original sentence as they
learn the word better.
I had one student who just absolutely refused to do flashcards
because he said he didn't like to learn that way. He just wanted to make
a list of words with a definition. Even though he is one of the most
orally fluent students, he consistently scored lowest in vocabulary.
Another student in another class wouldn't follow any format on his
cards. On many he didn't write sample sentences, on others he had other
missing elements and inconsistent layout. Despite his belief that he
knew the vocabulary, he was usually the lowest scorer in that class.
Maybe it was the flashcards, or maybe their refusal to go along with
their classes was an indication of other learning issues.
Nonetheless, most students carried around their flashcards and used
them. I gave them little bits of time to quiz each other in class; I
created "quizzes" that allowed students to refer to flashcards. I
sometimes would ask students to pull out a specific card and notice what
preposition came after the word in their sample sentences. They got very
comfortable with the cards and nearly all said they believed the cards
were a great help. I'll definitely require them again. By the way, the
students are a low and a high intermediate level, and we use The
American Heritage English as a Second Language Dictionary by Houghton
Mifflin.
Idea from: TESL - L
One contributor wrote,"... I've found it useful to track and record learner's reading speed and fluency in private or one-to-one situations. It allows me to determine, among other things, what
phonological areas need to be addressed."
Someone responded:
I am teaching Oral Comunication Skills to intermediate students on an Intensive program and one of the requirements we have is that each student should keep an "audioportfolio" - on tape,CD,podcast... - where they would record themselves at home reading aloud various discourse types: academic texts and creative writing (both prose and easy poetry)of their own choice, role plays and selected conversations with peers (again they are free to choose their peers), selected pronounciation practice e.g. lists with minimal pairs, question tags, practice with English stress, intonation patterns, etc... I have been doing on an ad-hoc basis but it has proved vey motivating to students. In addition to encouraging those students who are reluctant to participate in class to overcome their inhibitions and do some oral practice on their own, it also gives them a way of monitoring their own progress over the semester and it allows the teacher to track not only their global speaking and reading fluency, but also to isolate and target specific pronuncation items and individualize instruction accordingly. The requirement is straightforward as long as the tasks are well-chosen and the instructions are clearly specified.I have been tentatively experimenting with these audiportfolios and would welcome any suggestions from colleagues who have some experience with these or with any similar techniques.
The debate begins:
I can't understand benefit of tracking learners' oral reading speeds.
Why do people read aloud? I can't think of many reasons. Natural
contexts include reading to children, reading quotes from a source as
part of prepared speech (a minister quoting the Bible, a lecturer
reading a passage of Plato, etc.)... what else? So why is reading aloud
deemed an important enough skill for our learners that measurement of
speed needs to be tracked? I know several reading teachers who do this-
with native speakers as well, and I am curious. [I can understand the
benefit of silent speed reading, a useful skill for students and
professionals of all kinds who have to keep up with reports, journals
and other sources of information.]
And what determines oral reading fluency? Is it correct
pronunciation of all words? Is it intonation and ending the sentence
with the correct pitch, or is it correctly grouping words into phrases?
I would much prefer// that my students group phrases correctly// and
read with accurate emphasis//than read quickly.// Would the student who
quickly reads "submarine" for "summarize" be more fluent than the
student who pauses and slowly sounds out the correct word?
What is fluency - and is reading aloud a skill to be developing? I think the audio portfolio is great - I would prefer recordings of speech acts which correspond to authentic tasks - explain your reason for missing class to a teacher, give directions to your favourite restaurant etc. or more academic tasks such as summarizing the points in a news article, or comparing two theories of global warming.
One contributor wrote,"... I've found it useful to track and record learner's reading speed and fluency in private or one-to-one situations. It allows me to determine, among other things, what
phonological areas need to be addressed."
Someone responded:
I am teaching Oral Comunication Skills to intermediate students on an Intensive program and one of the requirements we have is that each student should keep an "audioportfolio" - on tape,CD,podcast... - where they would record themselves at home reading aloud various discourse types: academic texts and creative writing (both prose and easy poetry)of their own choice, role plays and selected conversations with peers (again they are free to choose their peers), selected pronounciation practice e.g. lists with minimal pairs, question tags, practice with English stress, intonation patterns, etc... I have been doing on an ad-hoc basis but it has proved vey motivating to students. In addition to encouraging those students who are reluctant to participate in class to overcome their inhibitions and do some oral practice on their own, it also gives them a way of monitoring their own progress over the semester and it allows the teacher to track not only their global speaking and reading fluency, but also to isolate and target specific pronuncation items and individualize instruction accordingly. The requirement is straightforward as long as the tasks are well-chosen and the instructions are clearly specified.I have been tentatively experimenting with these audiportfolios and would welcome any suggestions from colleagues who have some experience with these or with any similar techniques.
The debate begins:
I can't understand benefit of tracking learners' oral reading speeds.
Why do people read aloud? I can't think of many reasons. Natural
contexts include reading to children, reading quotes from a source as
part of prepared speech (a minister quoting the Bible, a lecturer
reading a passage of Plato, etc.)... what else? So why is reading aloud
deemed an important enough skill for our learners that measurement of
speed needs to be tracked? I know several reading teachers who do this-
with native speakers as well, and I am curious. [I can understand the
benefit of silent speed reading, a useful skill for students and
professionals of all kinds who have to keep up with reports, journals
and other sources of information.]
And what determines oral reading fluency? Is it correct
pronunciation of all words? Is it intonation and ending the sentence
with the correct pitch, or is it correctly grouping words into phrases?
I would much prefer// that my students group phrases correctly// and
read with accurate emphasis//than read quickly.// Would the student who
quickly reads "submarine" for "summarize" be more fluent than the
student who pauses and slowly sounds out the correct word?
What is fluency - and is reading aloud a skill to be developing? I think the audio portfolio is great - I would prefer recordings of speech acts which correspond to authentic tasks - explain your reason for missing class to a teacher, give directions to your favourite restaurant etc. or more academic tasks such as summarizing the points in a news article, or comparing two theories of global warming.
Friday
Idea from:Virginia Gills, Cartersville, Va
Jean in Arizona asked about "color flashcards".
I actually mean coloring flashcards. I duplicate pictures that represent
vocabulary that we are learning. I have them cut the pictures out and glue
to an index card for durability. Then they have the option of coloring
them if they'd like. This gives them a chance to chat with one another
while being on task. I have them make these picture cards with no words.
We make word flashcards another way. The point is to be able to recall the
word that the picture represents and not have the translation written
anywhere.
I use the cards in many ways. One way which keeps the affective filter
low, is simply to call the vocabulary word out and have the students raise
the flashcard with the correct picture. I do a thumbs up/thumbs down
across the room. There is no talking. The students who got a thumbs down
will quickly search for the correct picture and again I will do a quick
scan. Then we move on.
Another way is to have a group of four spread the current vocabulary
picture cards on a desk/table. Each student gets a fly swatter. As you
call the word, they swat the correct picture and keep score of who swats
first. I have treats or homework passes for the winner at each group.
Jean in Arizona asked about "color flashcards".
I actually mean coloring flashcards. I duplicate pictures that represent
vocabulary that we are learning. I have them cut the pictures out and glue
to an index card for durability. Then they have the option of coloring
them if they'd like. This gives them a chance to chat with one another
while being on task. I have them make these picture cards with no words.
We make word flashcards another way. The point is to be able to recall the
word that the picture represents and not have the translation written
anywhere.
I use the cards in many ways. One way which keeps the affective filter
low, is simply to call the vocabulary word out and have the students raise
the flashcard with the correct picture. I do a thumbs up/thumbs down
across the room. There is no talking. The students who got a thumbs down
will quickly search for the correct picture and again I will do a quick
scan. Then we move on.
Another way is to have a group of four spread the current vocabulary
picture cards on a desk/table. Each student gets a fly swatter. As you
call the word, they swat the correct picture and keep score of who swats
first. I have treats or homework passes for the winner at each group.
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