Enhancing English Reading Skills in Young Learners

Unit 6: Reading in English

Developing Reading Skills

This unit explores effective reading activities that emphasize meaning and demonstrate how the printed word serves as a valuable source of language input.

Key Priorities in Reading and Writing Instruction

When teaching reading and writing, prioritize meaning, word recognition, and letter identification. Predicting pronunciation is also important. Children don't need to grasp every detail; understanding keywords and the general meaning is sufficient.

6.1. Beginning Reading

Children must connect what they hear with what they read. Learning to read in English is easier if children can already read in their native language. Two primary approaches facilitate English reading instruction.

Look and Say

The "look and say" method is frequently used in vocabulary teaching. When children learn a new word, they simultaneously learn to read it. Maximize the use of printed materials in the classroom to enhance whole-word recognition. This technique can also be applied to phrases.

Phonics (Letters and Sounds)

English spelling can be challenging. Children need to learn sound-letter correspondence. Phonics instruction focuses on teaching letter sounds, not letter names.

Young Learners

Young learners can grasp obvious letter patterns that aid sound recognition and word prediction (e.g., shop, jam).

Encourage children to play with sounds as they repeat words from cards or books (e.g., singing, varying volume). This playful approach improves pronunciation and memory.

Activities for Connecting Sounds and Letters

• Alphabet Games:
  • Memory games with letter cards.
  • Initial letter games: Children identify and collect the first letters of words (e.g., "What letter does mango begin with?").
  • Feel the letter: Children, with eyes closed, touch sandpaper letters and identify them (e.g., "Find the 't' for tiger.").

Activities for Connecting Sound Recognition with Letter Clusters

Raise awareness of rhyming patterns in word endings through songs, chants, and games. Focus on visual sound patterns (e.g., the pl cluster in plant-planet).

Many of these activities can be integrated with writing.

6.2. Speaking to Reading: Sound and Word Recognition

Activities like using a tambourine to emphasize the rhythm of new words in chants can enhance learning. This helps pupils connect meaning and sound with written words.

Matching written words to pictures on a board is another effective activity.

6.3. Recognizing Phrases

Children absorb words and phrases through listening. As they become familiar with English phrases, they unconsciously learn word order. Activities can reinforce this learning by presenting familiar patterns in written form. For example, with "Little Red Riding Hood," write down children's spoken words, have them create word cards, and store the cards in labeled pockets.

6.4. Independent Reading and Information Retrieval

Once children can read, they can use printed words as another source of English input. Check pronunciation by having individual pupils read aloud, allowing them time to preview the text. Prediction is crucial. Encourage children to guess what comes next based on context, prior knowledge, and previous observations.