EFFECTIVEREADING UHL4032

UNIT1INTRODUCTIONTOREADING: ELEMENTSOFREADING

SEMESTERI SESSION2010/2011

EFFECTIVE READING

UHL4032

Before we start

Have you ever faced this situation? When you read, you cant seem to understand a word? You stay at a page for a long time and keep on repeating the same line over and over again? If the answer is yes, then you can say that you fail to read effectively. Look at the clip. Why do you think the man in the clip is laughing? Reading effectively means your reading activity should not take too much time and burden you mentally before you get the meaning of the text that you read. Effective reading is achieved when a reader responds to the text accordingly. For example, if the text is about something funny, you might want to laugh. If the text is a list of instructions, you follow what is required of you to do. In other words you comprehend the message of the text and able to give appropriate feedback in verbal or non-verbal form.

Before you can respond to the text, it is fundamental to know the elements of effective reading. This is especially important when a reader is dealing with texts that are written in the second language to the reader. These elements are the basis to what reading is all about. In this topic you will be introduced to effective reading through the following five elements: Phonemic awareness Phonic instructions Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension

By having the awareness of these elements, reading comprehension competence can be accelerated and in the long run, reading can be an enjoyable and meaningful activity.

AKANS/I/20102011

EFFECTIVE READING

UHL4032

Activity 1 How many phonemes are there in the following words? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Book Write Run Class Sport Knowledge

Activity 2 Provide words for the following phonics:

ch j j spelt with g

Activity 3 Some words have the same phonic but spelt and mean differently. They are called homophones. Go the following websites and complete the activities. http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/spelling/recognising/homophones/game.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/spelling/recognising/homophones/quiz.shtml

AKANS/I/20102011

EFFECTIVE READING

UHL4032

Before we start

Read the sentence. Bermuda Triangle is the place where many ships and aircrafts have disappeared without a trace. Do you see each of the 15 words separately? Did you read word by word? Now try reading the sentence in 3 propositions. Bermuda Triangle is the place/ where many ships and aircrafts/ have disappeared without a trace. We tend to remember ideas better than actual words. So, when you read, it is always better to try to relate what you read in your own words. In other words, to remember what you read better, work with ideas, not words. That is why it is important to be able to read fluently.

Activity 4 Browse through the short story. Look for words that you are not familiar with. Read the story to the class quickly and smoothly.

Activity 5 a. Read the paragraph. Pause where you see the slashes. b. Then, read the paragraph without the pause markers. Which paragraph do you think you can read more fluently? Why?

Activity 6 Write down the words you listen. Check if your spelling is correct. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

AKANS/I/20102011

EFFECTIVE READING

UHL4032

Activity 7 Now, read the text. Look at how the words are used in the text.

Activity 8 Write the definition of the words in your own words and write a sentence each. No 1. Words infuriated Meaning

2.

flare

3.

discouraged

4.

possession

5.

precious

Look at the parts of speech and phonics of these words. 1. tears (noun)/ tears (verb) 2. gift / gist

Activity 9 Read the text and use the appropriate questions from the question frames to understand the text more accurately. You may add your own questions to help you with comprehension of the text.

AKANS/I/20102011

EFFECTIVE READING

UHL4032

Comprehension Question Frames NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WH-Question Frame How would you describe ____________ in your own words? What does ______________ mean? Why is ______________ important? Why did ____________? How did ____________?

NO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Connection/ analysis Question Frame How are ____________ and ___________ alike? What is the difference between ____________ and ___________? How does ___________ make a difference in ____________? What are the strengths and weaknesses of ____________? What causes ____________? What would happen if ______________? What is the connection between ___________ and ___________?

AKANS/I/20102011