Primary ESOL

Professional Readings: Reading

On ESOL Online

There are currently no links in this category.

On Other Websites

• Building Comprehension through Explicit Teaching of Comprehension

  Nell Duke's presentation to the second annual MRA/CIERA Conference, September 22, 2001 (PDF).

• Comprehension Instruction: What Makes Sense Now, What Might Make Sense Soon

  A summary by Michael Pressley on ways teachers can help students increase comprehension skills (Readingonline).

• Content Reading Strategies

  From Richard Vacca - techniques that teachers can use to help students obtain information from their content books.

• Developing Reading Comprehension Through Instruction

  How do good readers comprehend what they read? Pressley and Wharton-McDonald identify the cognitive processes used by skilled readers.

• Eye on the Classroom: Teaching to Raise Achievement in Reading

  Alison Davis explores characteristics of teacher expertise associated with raising the reading comprehension achievement of struggling readers in New Zealand. She reports on the work undertaken in a four year research and development collaboration between the researcher and teachers in 13 different schools situated within a Ministry of Education schooling improvement initiative- the PEN schooling improvement project (2007).

• Graphic Organizers for Content Instruction

  Downloadable graphic organisers from EverythingESL.

• Guidelines: Adapting Material

  A clear outline of how to simplify written text.

• Reading and Second Language Learners

  Comprehensive research-based report (The Evergreen Center for Educational Improvement, 1999).

• Reading Process Analysis

  Practical steps to help readers become aware of the demands of different texts and the strategies that they can use to meet those demands. By sharing reflections on their own reading processes in a group, readers learn from each other (WestEd).

• SQ4R – Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, Reflect

  SQ4R provides a systematic way of comprehending and studying text. Practical suggestions for guided practice.

• Teaching Children to Read: An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on Reading and its Implications for Reading Instruction

  Report from the National Reading Panel (2000).

• Teaching the Academic Language of Textbooks: A Preliminary Framework for Performing a Textual Analysis

  A simple framework for working out what textbook language may be difficult for English Language Learners, and also, therefore, for deciding which items of academic language need to be taught. (The ELL Lookout, 2005)

• Why Reading is Hard

  This website was created to help teachers see the challenges that readers face. Teaching children to read is highly skilled work, and teaching children to read in a language that is not their mother tongue is particularly challenging. Includes a video of Catherine Snow, a reading researcher and professor at Harvard University, talking about these issues.

• Assessing Reading Growth with Running Records

  A clear, brief summary of Marie Clay's running record (An Observational Survey of Early Literacy Achievement, 1993).

• Bloom's Revised Taxonomy

  Bloom's Taxonomy is a useful way to plan units of work that incorporate high level thinking skills. This site includes: a colour poster introducing the revised taxonomy, a planning framework to design learning activities that foster all levels of thinking and Investigate a Book the Blooming-Smarts Way, a matrix for a reading programme.

• Building Reading Comprehension Through Think-Alouds

  Think-alouds can improve reading comprehension and help students to develop the ability to monitor their reading comprehension.

• Comprehension Difficulties

  Nell Duke's keynote address at the 2003 CIERA summer institute. Duke suggests practical strategies to assist students with comprehension(PDF)

• Content Area Literacy Methods: Pre-reading

  Effective comprehension depends largely on the reader's readiness (LiteracyLeaders.com).

• Cross-Age Tutoring in the Literacy Club

  Research shows great gains for both tutees and tutors.

• Developing Comprehension in the Primary Grades

  Duke and Pearson's presentation to the International Reading Association 2001.

• Developing Literacy in English as a Second Language: Guidelines for Teachers of Young Children from Non-Literate Backgrounds

  Basic principles and practical suggestions for teaching reading and writing using a whole language approach (Teacher Resource Guide Series).

• English Language Learners: Working with Children for Whom English is a New Language

  Guidance for adults working to support the language and reading skills of English language learners (Bank Street College of Education).

• Extensive Reading

  Emphasises extensive reading in the second language learning context.

• Extensive Reading: Why? and How?

  Research evidence for the use of such programs in ESOL contexts.

• False Claims About Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Skills vs. Whole Language, and Recreational Reading

  Krashen takes issue with the US National Reading Panel report's claims about reading and reading instruction.

• Features of Text Forms

  Structure and language of different types of text forms.

• Fluency-Oriented Reading Instruction

  This 2005 paper by Stahl and Heubach reports the results of a two-year project designed to reorganise reading instruction on fluency (Journal of Literacy Research).

• A Focus on Vocabulary

  A close look at vocabulary instruction as a component of reading comprehension (Pacific Resources for Education and Learning).

• A Focus on Vocabulary

  Research stresses the important role word knowledge plays in reading comprehension. (Pacific Resources for Education and Learning)

• The Four Ages of Reading Philosophy and Pedagogy: A Framework for Examining Theory and Practice

  This article examines literacy philosophy and pedagogy, and reading in particular, over time (Readingonline).

• Further Notes on the Four Resources Model (Luke and Freebody)

  This short paper reviews the relevance of Luke and Freebody's model of the reader's roles - code breaker, meaning maker, text user, text critic (Readingonline).

• A Guide to Learning English: Helping ESOL Students Understand What they Read

  Clearly written advice from Paul Shoebottom at Frankfurt International School.

• Guided Reading

  A clear description, from the Department of Education, Tasmania.

• Guidelines for Teaching Middle and High School Students to Read Well: Six Features of Effective Instruction

  16-page research-based booklet from the Center on English Learning and Achievement (CELA, 2000).

• Handbook of Reading Research

  Chapter summaries from the Handbook of Reading Research: Volume III, 2000, (Readingonline).

• How Does Understanding Text Features Benefit Reading Comprehension?

  From the Assessment Resource Bank, this article uses narratives and science reports to exemplify how learning about particular text types helps students develop control over their options as they read and write.

• How Should Adult ESL Reading Instruction Differ from Basic Reading Instruction?

  A clear description of how learning to read for second language learners differs from learning in L1, and how these differences should affect teaching (Center for Adult English Language Acquisition).

• Improving the Reading Achievement of America's Children: 10 Research-Based Principles

  From the Centre for Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA).

• Jigsaw: Instructional Strategies Online

  A clear explanation of the purpose of jigsaw reading and how to do it.

• Just Think of the Possibilities: Formats for Reading Instruction in the Elementary Classroom

  Six basic formats that can be used to teach reading: shared reading, read-aloud, guided reading, Readers Theatre, sustained silent reading, and literature circles (Reading Online).

• The Language Learning Benefits of Extensive Reading

  Paul Nation's 1997 article concludes that there are substantial long-term benefits if there is a high degree of commitment.

• Learning to Read

  Links to developments in literacy, professional materials, research and critical issues.

• Literacy and Sound Learning: Strategies for Thoughtful Reading

  Doug Buehl clarifies the strategies that proficient readers use and explains how all readers can adopt these practices.

• The Literacy Project

  Google Inc. site dedicated to literacy, pulling together its books, video, mapping and blogging services to help teachers and educational organisations share reading resources.

• Literature on Early Literacy Instruction in Four Languages (Chinese, Korean, Navajo, Russian)

  A summary of evidence-based research on how reading is taught to Chinese, Korean, Navajo and Russian children. The aim is to deepen understanding of how literacy is defined differently across cultures and how the language of a people affects the way reading is taught (revised 2003, University of Minnesota).

• Meeting the Literacy Development Needs of Adolescent English Language Learners Through Content Area Learning

  Summaries of current reading research by Meltzer and Hamann (2005).

• Metacognitive Reading Comprehension - An Observational Framework for Teaching and Learning

  An observational framework designed to support observations of reading comprehension instruction (Davis, 2007).

• Monitoring Comprehension: Teaching Comprehension Strategies to Students

  A workshop that looks at research about the teaching and learning of reading comprehension (PDF/Ppt.from the U.S. Department of Education).

• MyRead

  Three level guides clearly explained and exemplified.

• MyRead - Strategies for Teaching Reading in the Middle Years

  A range of guides that demonstrate ways in which teachers can continue the teaching of reading as students progress through school.

• Profiling Reading Comprehension in Mangere Schools: A Research and Development Collaboration

  A report on a cluster of seven decile one schools developing a partnership with researchers to build students' reading comprehension skills.

• Put Reading First -- K-3

  This report aims to make evidence-based reading research available to educators, parents and policy-makers(CIERA).

• Quality of Teaching in Years 4 and 8: Reading 2005

  The Education Review Office's published report on Years 4-8 reading, February 2005

• Raising Kids Who Read

  Canadian YMCA booklet for parents that encourages reading (PDF).

• Reading - Interacting with Texts

  Directed activities related to texts (DARTs) help students engage with texts and make them more critical readers (the British Council, BBC).

• Reading Alone Together: Enhancing Extensive Reading via Student-Student Cooperation in Second-Language Instruction

  Jacobs and Gallo explain the possible benefits of adding a group element to extensive reading and give examples of activities (Reading Online).

• Reading Aloud to Build Comprehension

  From the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2005.

• The Reading Apprenticeship Framework

  An approach to reading instruction that helps students develop the knowledge, strategies, and dispositions they need for reading (WestEd).

• Reading in a Second Language

  Ppt. from San Diego University. Links to other reading resources.

• Reading Literacy in New Zealand

  The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, (PIRLS), provides information on the reading literacy of Year 5 students in about 40 countries. This report summarises the results from a New Zealand perspective (PDF or Word).

• Reading Quest, Making Sense in Social Studies - Strategies for Reading Comprehension

  A range of strategies to use with students to develop comprehension.

• Reading Research and English Language Learners

  Research indicates that ESOL students starting school should be taught to read in their mother tongue. If that is not practicable, oral English proficiency should be developed before the teaching of reading in English begins. (Antunez, 2002.)

• Reading Strategies: Scaffolding Students' Interactions

  Exemplified explanations of a variety of reading strategies.

• Scaffolding

  A brief explanation of what 'scaffolding' is (NCREL).

• Six Effective Comprehension Strategies

  Research based, includes lesson steps that emphasise the role of explicit instruction (Wisconsin Literacy Education and Reading Network Source).

• Strategies for Addressing Comprehension Difficulties.

  Nell Duke outlines some of the potential causes of reading comprehension difficulty. Includes teaching strategies that may prevent or address comprehension difficulties (video, audio or slides).

• Strategies for Building Comprehension of Informational Text

  Nell Duke on the importance of teaching strategies for comprehending informational text (PDF).

• Strategies for Reading Comprehension

  Explanations of strategies and OHT masters to use with students (ReadingQuest.org).

• A Survey of Sustained Silent Reading Practices in Seventh-Grade Classrooms

  Suggestions for teachers who plan to implement or revise SSR programs (reading Online).

• A Tapestry of Understanding: Intergenerational Family Learning

  This discussion document from the City of Manukau Education Trust (COMET) explores the ways in which intergenerational family learning policy can support the strategic goals of central government in relation to the well-being of families in Manukau, South Auckland.

• Targeting Text: A Guided Reading Project

  Case study on the place of guided writing in a balanced writing programme (Department of Education, Tasmania).

• Teaching Reading to English Language Learners

  Policy suggestions for teaching reading to bilingual students (WestEd).

• These Words Were Meant For Speaking

  In favour of reading out loud (TES).

• Translating Characteristics of Effective School Reading Programmes into Practice

  Slides by Barbara Taylor, University of Minnesota and Centre for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement.

• Trends: Reading/Transactional Strategies

  Pressley, Brown, Van Meter, and Schuder write about the power of transactional strategies instruction in improving student reading.

• Understanding Reading Comprehension:1

  2005 booklet from the UK Department for Education and Skills. It is a summary of what can be learned from current research on reading comprehension (PDF).

• Using Mulitple Methods of Beginning Reading Instruction

  The International Reading Association's position statements on issues related to beginning reading instruction.

• Variations in Reading Achievement among Spanish-Speaking Children in Different Language Programs: Explanations and Confounds.

  2006 article by Goldenberg and Saunders that looks at the interplay among community, family and school characteristics on literacy achievement of English language learners (PDF).

• Vocabulary and Comprehension (ARB)

  Support material and ideas for teaching and learning for vocabulary and comprehension. Please note that all users accessing the ARB resources now need to log in with a password. To register for a username and password, go to the ARB registration page.

• "You Don't Read a Science Book, You Study It": An Exploration of Cultural Concepts of Reading

  Anderson and Gunderson believe that the variance between teachers' and immigrants' expectations of what constitutes reading and reading instruction is one factor that contributes to reading difficulties (Reading Online).