Reading Comprehension: Strategies and Activities
Introduction
The primary objective of reading is to comprehend and reconstruct the writers mental world. Skilled readers experience a sense of ease and natural flow in their comprehension, although this masks the underlying complexity of reading, even when the text is straightforward. Numerous cognitive and linguistic processes come into play, ranging from word identification to inferences about situations not fully described in the text. Consequently, finding a straightforward solution to questions like How does reading comprehension develop and Why does it sometimes fail becomes exceedingly challenging (Nation, 2019).
Part 1: Strategies and Settings
Focus on overall language comprehension: Recent studies indicate that difficulties in reading comprehension may originate from an underlying weakness in oral language, which persists from early childhood, even before formal reading instruction. Students who struggle with reading comprehension also tend to comprehend fewer spoken words, have a limited grasp of auditory input, and exhibit weaker spoken grammar (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).
Provide vocabulary instruction: Since students with poor comprehension often lack adequate vocabulary skills and struggle to comprehend spoken language, it is beneficial to teach the meanings of new words using multisensory techniques such as graphic organizers, pictures, and mnemonics. Enhancing overall language proficiency increases their ability to understand words encountered in written text (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).
Teach critical thinking strategies: Once students acquire the necessary vocabulary to navigate a text, they often face challenges related to complex thinking and sustained attention required to comprehend important details and infer information that is not explicitly stated. Teachers can instruct students on cognitive strategies (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).
Encourage reciprocal teaching: Following instruction, students can consistently practice and implement cognitive strategies through reciprocal teaching, which empowers them to take a leadership role in their learning and encourages metacognition while listening or reading (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).
Directly instruct comprehension skills: Students should receive explicit instruction in comprehension skills such as sequencing, story structure using the plot mountain, making inferences and drawing conclusions, and recognizing various forms of figurative language. They should have opportunities to practice these skills initially with texts read...
…the cognitive processes required for comprehension (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).Students can learn and apply the best strategies for them, depending on the text they are reading. Employing these thinking strategies enhances reading comprehension and benefits writing skills.
Encouraging reciprocal teaching practices can be valuable. Teachers can implement reciprocal teaching during class discussions, reading aloud, and group reading activities. Students can rotate between the following roles:
Questioner: Poses questions about unclear or confusing aspects of the lesson, discussion, or text or establishes connections with previously acquired knowledge.
Summarizer: Summarizes the key points or details from the lesson, discussion, or text.
Clarifier: Addresses the questions raised by the Questioner and ensures clarity on confusing aspects for everyone.
Predictor: Makes predictions about forthcoming content based on the presented, discussed, or read material (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund, 2019).
Explicitly teaching comprehension skills is crucial. Teachers can assist students in selecting reading materials that align with their current vocabulary proficiency, enabling them to engage with texts at accessible levels within the classroom (Nation, 2019; Parrish, 2020; Ellemen and Oslund,…
References
Elleman, A. M., & Oslund, E. L. (2019). Reading Comprehension Research: Implications for Practice and Policy. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 6(1), 3–11.
Parrish, N. (2020). 5 Ways to Support Students Who Struggle with Reading Comprehension. Literacy. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-ways-support-students-who-struggle-reading-comprehension/
Nation, K. (2019). Children’s reading difficulties, language, and reflections on the simple view of reading. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, 24(1).
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