Idea — Schema is prior knowledge — everything a learner already knows about a topic, text type, and situation. Activating it before reading speeds up comprehension and reduces cognitive load.
Example — Before reading a news article about climate change, ask: what do you already know? What do you expect to read? Learners build a mental frame before the text arrives.
Try — Write three pre-reading questions for your next text. They should activate relevant knowledge, not test it. Elicit, don’t quiz.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
Prefer watching over reading?Visit Treasure Hunters Digital on YouTube →