Chapter 7: How to teach reading

Chapter 7: How to teach readingHarmer, J.(1998). How to teach English. Longman1. Why teach reading?Language acquisitionProviding good models for writingProviding opportunities to study language: -vocabulary, grammar & pronunciation -ways to construct sentences, paragraphsIntroducing speaking interesting topics, discussion, imaginative responses, fascinating lessons2. Kinds of reading textTexts: authentic or notAuthentic written materialthe most important thing: texts are as much like real English as possibleTopics & types of reading texts Depending on the level & interests of learners 3. Reading skills requiredScanning: particular bits of/ specific information Skimming for the main ideaReading for detailed comprehensionReading for developing critical thinking skillsReading & making inferences4.Principles Reading: not a passive skillSs  engaged with what to read Ss  encouraged to respond to the content of a text, not the languagePrediction: major factor in readingMatching the task to the topicExploiting reading texts to the full 5. Stages of a reading lesson Pre-reading tasks While-reading tasks Post- reading tasks Pre-reading tasksDefinition: Arousing Ss’ interest in the topic & making them want to read (to check or clarify information & have some ideas of what they are going to read)Techniques: True/False predictions, Open-predictions, Pre-questions, Ordering, Matching & Network While-reading tasksAims: checking Ss’ comprehension & helping them to read the textTechniques: 3 or 4-option multiple choice, true/false statements, grids (completing the table), ordering (pictures/statements), matching, comprehension questions (wh or Y/N), given answers, networks or completing an outlinePost- reading tasks  Aims: encouraging Ss to reflect upon what they’ve read & for information staying with Ss, they need to go beyond simply reading it & using itTechniques: discussion, write-it up & role-play DiscussionEliciting personal responses by asking Ss to: match what they read against their own experience imagine themselves in a situation related to the text but beyond their own experienceExpress their feeling & opinion Write - it- up summarizing the main ideas of the text by using their own words drawing their own conclusion Role-play giving further language practice by using what Ss have read in the text applying what they’ve read in a new situation