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In this guest article, Bridge partner esl.laboratory shares practical and effective strategies for teaching reading to English language learners.
Teaching reading to ESL students can sometimes feel like assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions – a little overwhelming and slightly chaotic, but still rewarding (and hopefully with fewer leftover parts). But with a few handy tips up your sleeve, you can make the process smoother and, dare we say it, enjoyable. Curious? Then read until the end!
1. Start with phonemic awareness
Before your students immerse headfirst into reading, they need to understand how sounds work in English. Phonemic awareness is the backbone of reading, and you should start here.
Simple exercises like matching sounds to letters and blending them can be surprisingly effective. Turn it into a game, and your students will be sounding out words like language superheroes in no time.
2. Use graded readers
If you hand your students Jane Eyre on their first day of class, expect some serious eye rolls. That’s where graded readers save the day! These books are written for language learners and are carefully graded by difficulty. They’re the baby steps in the reading world.
Finding texts at the right level will help students build vocabulary and boost their confidence. Once they’re feeling like champs, you can introduce discussions about the text to deepen their understanding.
You can find some well-structured reading materials on esl.laboratory. They offer lesson plans, such as “Downshifting Your Career” and “Let’s Do It!” that are packed with engaging content for different levels.
3. Practice reading aloud and have group discussions
Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Encourage students to read aloud, which helps build fluency and lets them practice pronunciation and rhythm. Bonus: It’s an excellent way to inject some energy into your class.
Even better, turn reading into a group activity. Have students read aloud in turns or even act out scenes from the text. Afterward, start discussions to reinforce comprehension. Ask questions like “What do you think this character should do next?” or “Why did they make that choice?” and watch the wheels start turning.
4. Focus on vocabulary and context clues
No one likes staring at a page filled with unfamiliar words – it’s like navigating a maze in the dark. But that’s where context clues come to the rescue. Teach your students to be language detectives. When they hit a word they don’t know, encourage them to use the surrounding words to figure it out.
esl.laboratory has ready-made plans like “Olympics: Paris 2024” where you can work vocabulary into timely topics. Plus, students will stay current on exciting global events.
5. Add technology
Your students probably spend more time on their phones than they do with any other object (or person, for that matter). So why not use that to your advantage? There are loads of apps and websites out there, like ReadTheory or Raz-Kids, where students can practice reading at their own level.
And don’t forget audiobooks. These can help students tune in to the natural flow and pronunciation of English, pairing beautifully with the texts you use in class.
6. Encourage extensive reading
Habit makes practice. And practice makes perfect.
It takes more than 2 months on average before a new behavior becomes automatic. So, the more your students read, the better they’ll get. Inspire them to read outside of class, whether comics, short stories, or blog posts. Anything in English will do the trick. You could even create a class-wide reading challenge. Students earn points or rewards for the number of books or articles they finish. You’d be surprised how motivated people get when a little competition is involved.
7. Review and reflect
After your reading activities, don’t just pat yourself on the back and move on. Take a moment to review what your students learned. Go over tricky words, discuss the story, and ask them to reflect on their reading experience. Did they find anything tough? What did they enjoy?
Encourage them to keep a reading journal. Quickly jotting down new words and thoughts after reading will help cement their progress.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it! By focusing on phonemic awareness, using appropriate materials, incorporating interactive activities, and embracing technology, you can guide your students to become confident and capable readers. And remember, keep it useful and engaging – because learning should be an adventure, not a chore.
