Extensive Reading Helps Students Read Better and Faster

It is not surprising that students learn to read better and faster by reading. But there are two types of reading for students.

EFL professors may prefer an extensive reading approach.

What is extensive reading?
Reading is usually divided into two types: 1) intensive and 2) extensive.

Intensive reading involves the practice of particular reading skills and the close examination of text. Tasks often include scanning and skimming for particular details in texts.

By contrast, extensive reading involves reading numerous texts and thus a greater exposure to the language. Students read for pleasure and for a general comprehension of texts.

Benefits for Students
Students participate in the selection of texts of their interest. Less pressure provides an enjoyable reading environment.

Improvements in writing and a stronger vocabulary are also results from extensive reading programs.

Moreover, students are empowered to take control of their own language learning.

Conclusion
A key component of an extensive reading program is measuring progress. Students are often required to maintain a reading journal in order to record their reflections on texts.

The following questions can be used as a guide:

• What book(s) did you read this week?
• What did you find particularly interesting?
• How many pages did you read?
• How much time did you spend reading?
• What are your reading goals this week?

You may be interested in a study evaluating an extensive reading program.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Using Literature in the ESL Classroom

If, as C.S. Lewis once said, literature "irrigates the desert that our lives have already begun,"  then literature has a central role to add spice to your ESL lesson plans.

If you are searching for authentic texts to enliven your discussions with upper level students or to debate topics germane to our daily lives, literature in English (bias toward American) is an excellent way.

The inspiration for this post came after wanting to learn how I could incorporate literature fearing it would be too dense or above the level of non-native speakers. Rubbish!

"Literature in the ESL Classroom" by Sandra Mckay offers great suggestions like focusing on language use and aesthetic reading - where the reader relates his or her real world experiences to the text.

The big key? Selection of an adequate text.

I have chosen Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" to compile an extract for my classes. Of course we do not have time to read the entire "short" story. I remember Beatrice, Giovanni, and Drs. Rappaccini and Baglioni from my own English class in high school.

How have you used literature in your classes? Did the students like your selections? I will update you when I use mine in the classroom.
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If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

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SQ3R Applied - "Toyota Slips Up" Text

After nearly three years teaching English as a Foreign Language, it appears almost every presentation of the language is controversial in the field.

Reading is not an exception.

Last week, I used a prescient article from The Economist - "Toyota Slips Up" (December 12,2009) - as a reading text on a popular issue. Students are aware of the news about Toyota and though in British English (I am American) the article is chock full of vocabulary.

SQ3R Reading Method
I introduced my students to the SQ3R approach to reading. It is an analytic tool and essential to gain a context about any text.

First, students are encouraged to Survey the text. Given the article is only a page, that is simple in this case. At the top of the page is "Leaders" identifying the article as an opinion piece. There is a picture of a banana on wheels (the slip part) of the article's title as in slipping on a banana peel. The important sub-headline mentions "corporate turnarounds" and the two sub-headings are "Falling giants" and "A bit of vroom needed."

Given the good text structure and excellent writing by The Economist, it is easy to create Questions about the text to answer while reading. Reading is about anticipation. What information do you think the text will contain? What do you predict the article will be about? Given the above, we would expect to hear about other big companies who have lost their ways, but were able to turnaround their sinking fortunes. But whom? Were they successful in the end?

Urge students to create these questions and build interest in the article and the discover process of answering them.

Next, students Read the article bearing their questions in mind.

Then, students Recite to themselves orally what they have just read and take notes in their own words from the text.

The final step is Reviewing your notes and questions/answers to keep the information fresh in your mind.

I had wonderful results with my class teaching them a new approach to read smarter!

More information:
Hat tip: Study Guides and Strategies website offers more information on using SQ3R and a review page to help in your text analysis.
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If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Using Literature with English Language Learners

The joy of literature helps language learners appreciate the culture attached to any language. Thus, I agree with the premise of the argument made in the article, Using Literature with English Language Learners (ELL) in ESL TEFL TESOL Teaching.

As a certified translator, I know language is culture. The two are inseparable.

In the case of English Language Learners (ELLs), both British and American literature offer great works to provide students a deeper appreciation and understanding of English. One caveat however - the text needs to be level-appropriate to avoid frustration.

Literature is sometimes even difficult for native speakers to comprehend let alone an ELL.

For example, I have used Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird with intermediate level students. The rich culture of the pre-Civil Rights US South in the 1950s and expressions prove challenges.  I am a firm believer in pushing students to excel and keep reaching higher for goals.

Given reading is the best way to learn vocabulary, literature is perfect for this purpose. Also, I encourage reading to study the structure of the language to improve writing. Emulation is a powerful tool to learn how to write in a second language.

Lovers of American literature may want to consult this Top 10 list for some suggestions.

Happy Reading and happy learning English!
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Do you know the SQ3R?

 Do you need an effective reading strategy? Do you want to read and understand texts better?

The SQ3R is a strategy for effective academic reading which has been around for decades. It is all about standing back and looking at the outline of the text you are going to read, preparing for the reading by getting some questions ready, looking for answers as you read, remembering what you read and then reviewing what you’ve read so you don’t forget it.

Read more...
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If you are in São Paulo and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

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