Very few schools around the world teach reading for pleasure, despite evidence that students who are part of programs of non-tested, easy reading, show dramatic improvements in their language learning. Teachers who have not looked closely at (or tried) ‘extensive reading (ER)’ (i.e. giving students a program of easy, self-selected reading) believe it is a waste of ‘real’ teaching time, but they are wrong. 'If I am not teaching, they are not learning', they say or think, and this is another false belief with no evidence of greater success than implementing ER.
Reading has therefore been reduced to a one-size-one-text-fits-all approach, making it difficult for students, because the emphasis is on translation and comprehension. As a result, most teens leave school believing that reading is boring. So let’s fix this by looking at - and implementing - proven ways to get students reading much more for pleasure, with lasting results as language students and lifelong learners.
Reading has therefore been reduced to a one-size-one-text-fits-all approach, making it difficult for students, because the emphasis is on translation and comprehension. As a result, most teens leave school believing that reading is boring. So let’s fix this by looking at - and implementing - proven ways to get students reading much more for pleasure, with lasting results as language students and lifelong learners.
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Training videos
Using only coursebooks and workbooks to teach English? They're not quite doing the job, are they? You know something is missing. In these two webinars I show how and why integrating graded readers into any ELT curriculum (for any age group) is essential, not optional 'if there is time or money' or 'only if you or a student likes reading'. (Students don't usually like grammar exercises, but teachers still give them plenty of that anyway!) Over thirty years of global classroom research, evidence and common sense show that Extensive Reading boosts language learning and results. What have you got to lose? Part 1: How and Why Graded Readers Boost Language Learning and Results
Part 2: Activities to Develop Language and Skills using Graded Readers
Teachers - how much are you reading...?
Before we start, don't beat yourself up! I'm here to help not judge.
Don't have time to read? We all have time. It's how we choose to spend the time that makes the difference. We can only motivate our learners to read, if we read ourselves, and talk about books and stories more. We are role models. Look, students know that most teachers don't read, and that their parents don't read either, so they're thinking "why should we read?" And who can blame them? Start reading again. Here's how: - Choose a book you've wanted to read but you think there's 'no time'. - Read 5 pages in the morning. - Waiting for dinner to cook, or in a queue (yes, stop looking at your phone!). - Then read 5 pages later the same day sometime. - That's only about 10-15 mins per day (this is for pleasure, remember!). - For a 300-page novel that's one novel per month! = 12 book a year. It works, of course. Do it! Let be 10-15 mins be enough if you're busy. It all adds up. START TODAY AND ENJOY YOUR BOOKS AGAIN! |
Recommended reading (New!)
This comprehensive book by renowned scholars Paul Nation and Rob Waring accessibly covers all aspects of extensive reading in second and foreign language contexts. The book serves as a major update to the field on the topic, with current research findings on extensive reading as they relate to motivation, reading fluency, and vocabulary learning, among other topics. Clear and straightforward, it includes case studies, strategies, and methods for implementing and assessing effective extensive reading in the classroom and provides resources and tools for pre-service teachers of ESL/EFL and foreign languages. Suitable for programs in TESOL and Applied Linguistics with courses in L2 reading, reading instruction, TESOL methods, and foreign language reading or teaching, it will appeal to students and pre-service teachers as well as English language teaching professionals and EFL/ESL teachers. Useful links on Extensive Reading
https://erfoundation.org/wordpress/ https://www.er-central.com/ http://www.robwaring.org/er/ Videos Bringing Extensive Reading into the Classroom (Richard Day – another ER expert) Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydj-UaRjhXQ Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMKS4I7BHuE Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZMUMjBh_FQ&t=14s If you are on Facebook, search “extensive reading” and you will find various teacher groups. "Reading is boring!"
"Students usually tell you that reading is boring. Well if someone gave you a book you didn't choose or really understand, forced you to finish it over six months whilst bombarding you with comprehension questions - how would you feel? And how would you feel after 10+ years of this at school? It can change. You can change it. You have to change it.
I run workshops and give conference talks all over the world, about getting students (and teachers!) back into reading - with amazing, lasting results. Drop me a line if you would like to know more. |
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