Re-envisioning Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners

RRJ#6

Re-envisioning Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners

Reference:

Iwai, Yuko. (2010, April 4) .Re-envisioning Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners. The Internet TESL Journal 4(10). Retrieved January 10, 2010 from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Singhal-ReadingL1L2.html

Summary:

            In this article, the author talks about understanding for the context of the reading. She explains that readers for any passage can use methods to help them understand the text. Also, she says that the second way is the best because it is a good way to understand the context without need to translate words or concentrate on other things that will take more time and efforts. Moreover, she clarifies that the reader who has good background in English can use that help him to understand any text more easily than others. In addition, she adds when students use topics they have an idea about, they can understand what the comprehension is about. Some students use their own language to understand the context, but they could not understand the appropriate meanings because in the English language one word has different meanings. This thing will confuse the readers from other languages. Furthermore, many students from Asia use their first language habits in understanding comprehension in English, for example reading loudly and trying to connect their first language in connecting the second, which is English. Besides, good teachers must respect the differences between learners, and try to make things understood to be easy for them to understand the information and the context of the reading.

Reaction:

            I enjoyed reading this article. It has very important information for all English teachers to develop their students. Also, the author explained different methods of reading and what the sufficient way is. She clarified how brilliant teachers guide their and advise their students to good approaches in understanding any reading passage. Moreover, her advice is to use known topics for learners to let them understand the context easily, so I agree with her about all these things she discussed. I wish that all English teachers beware towards these things because they are very important for both teachers and students to make the class very active. In this case, students can share and participate with their teachers positively. Really, I faced these difficulties with my students because they did not know too much vocabulary, and I could not even choose texts which were suitable to their levels.