Reading exercises are vital in allowing the student to develop metacognitive strategies (like using a dictionary), building knowledge of the language (vocabulary development), schematic knowledge (sociocultural understanding), and allowing the learner to transfer reading strategies to listening (guessing meaning from context).
Pre-Reading, While Reading, and Post-Reading Activities
When planning a reading exercise it is important to divide it into three parts: pre-reading, while reading, and post-reading.
In the pre-reading phase, it is important to prepare the reader for unusual linguistic features, conceptual or cultural differences, as well as relating the reading to the student’s experience or knowledge. An easy way to do this is by asking a pre-question. This general question, given before the reading assignment, will allow the learner to find out a piece of information central to the understanding of the text.
While the student is reading, exercises like fill in charts, a list of expectations, or a tick/cross reaction to the writer’s opinion will allow the reader not to feel overwhelmed by the text.
In the post-reading phase, a discussion about the response to the text is vital. This can either be done as a debate, a role play, or reading a contrasting text. Another method is to use notes made from a reading exercise to use in a writing activity.
Understanding the Text
When choosing a reading exercise, it is vital that the teacher understands what text elements are being presented. Is a reading exercise increasing awareness of how texts are organized (paragraph structure, for example) or increasing awareness of textual environments (use of photo, for example)?
An understanding of the text as a whole will allow the reader to prepare schematically - be it by being oriented to the context of the text more easily, activating existing cultural knowledge, or having the ability to express an opinion about the topic.
Styles of Reading
It is also important to understand the different styles of reading that a learner can use in a reading exercise. These are:
- Receptive: Reading a short story, newspaper, or textbook
- Reflecting: reading/reflecting/backtracking
- Skim: Getting a global impression of the content of a text
- Scanning: Finding a specific point of information
- Intensive: Involves looking carefully at a text
Relating to a Text
It is important that a student is able to relate a reading exercise to her own experience and knowledge. Even though time constraints can limit how long a teacher spends looking for a particular text, it is always a good idea to pick reading exercises with topics that your students are curious about and are going to enjoy reading.
