Idea — Schema is the network of prior knowledge a learner activates when reading or listening. Strong schema compensates for weak language; weak schema makes even familiar language confusing. Example — A learner with no…
Idea — Research often associates large amounts of easy, enjoyable reading with vocabulary and fluency gains. Graded readers — level-matched books — let learners read fast without constant blocking. Example — A learner reading several…
Idea — When adapting an authentic text, cut difficult words and complex grammar — but preserve the writer’s logic, the examples, and the argument structure. Distorting meaning defeats the purpose. Example — Authentic: ‘The proposal,…
Idea — Intensive reading is short, close and teacher-led; extensive reading is long, easy and pleasure-driven. Both matter — intensive builds skills, extensive builds fluency and vocabulary through volume. Example — A graded reader on…
Idea — A good reading text has a clear information load, language at or just above learner level, a topic learners can connect to, and at least one reason to read beyond the language task.…
Idea — When learners hit an unknown word, options are: guess from context, skip it if non-essential, or look it up. Teaching this triage stops one word from halting the whole text. Example — In…
Idea — When you check answers as a class, choral repetition of the right answer tells you nothing — one confident student speaks, others follow. Use targeted nomination or paired comparison instead. Example — Instead…
Idea — A typical reading lesson moves lead-in → predict → gist task → detail task → response. Each stage narrows focus and reuses the text, so learners read the same passage several times with…
Idea — One gist question sends learners in with a clear, single purpose. More than one and learners start reading for detail; the gist pass becomes confused and slow. Example — Weak: ‘Read and answer:…
Idea — As with listening, a lead-in that activates prior knowledge makes reading easier and faster. Predicting from title, images or topic primes the vocabulary and ideas the text will use. Example — Before an…