Before we plan a reading comprehension lesson, it is very important to ask yourself the following questions:
1. What is the purpose for reading? To entertain, to study, to be informed, to follow instructions, to support a point of view, among others
2. What is the type of text?
3. What is the topic?
4. How will the students activate prior knowledge? questionning, brainstorming, picture exploration, case study, example form real life, etc.
5. What cognitive strategies will be highlighted? grouping, elaboration, etc.
6. How will metacognition be encouraged? checklist, modeling, peer correction
7. Will I have inferential questions? What do my students know about inferences?
Reading strategies:resourcebook
We know that the most popular techniques to work with reading comprehension are Skimming and Scanning.
To Skim means to find general information. Samples of these questions are:
a. What is the main idea of the text?
b. What is the main idea of paragraph X?
c. Paraphrase the title
d. Write a subheading for each paragraph.
To scan a text means to find specific information. Samples of these questions are:
a. What is the name of.....?
b. When did X event take place?
c. Where did X go?
d. How many X were sold?
A second level of comprehension should be the inferential level.
Check this presentation
Inferences 1
How to read
Sometimes, learners have negative reactions towards inferential questions. They may feel that the text does not provide the necessary inforamtion to answer a specific question...
There is an important difference –when it has to do with Reading-between inferences and opinions. Teaching reading deals with words, meanings, messages, ideas, interpretations, etc. In the case of “advanced” reading, the message the author wants to give to the reader must be unattached from personal opinions and more related to real information given to the reader before.
ReplyDelete