How to Teach Reading Effectively

【Abstract】How to teach reading effectively has been a big focus in the field of English teaching due to the importance of reading. Therefore， this paper illustrates definitions and theories of reading， and analyzes problems， ways of solving problems. The main purpose of this paper is to give sufficient resources for teachers in the process of reading teaching.

【Key words】effective reading teaching

1. Definitions of Reading

Before teaching reading， it is vital to understand what reading is. In fact， there are various definitions of reading from different aspects.

According to Day and Bamford （1998）， ‘reading is the construction of meaning from a printed or written message. Wang （2006） understands the meaning as ‘reading comprehension involves extracting the relevant information from the text as effectively as possible， connecting the information from the written message with ones own knowledge to arrive at an understanding.

In conclusion， reading refers to a complete process in which readers get specific information and acquire new knowledge， thus reconstructing their own cognition.

2. Theories of Reading Teaching

Two theories are illustrated in this paper for reading teaching：schema theory， and scaffolding instruction theory.

2.1 Schema Theory

In schema theory， the term schema demonstrates that people adjust their memories of a culturally unfamiliar story to fit a “schema” that is more consistent with their own culturally familiar knowledge of the typical content and structure of stories. Schema theory is based on the psycholinguistic model of readers background knowledge and the reading text. （You， 2003）

2.2 Scaffolding Instruction Theory

Scaffolding instruction theory is based on Vvgotskys Zone of Proximal Development. It is useful for teachers to give the temporary and adjustable supports to their students so as to help their students narrow the gap between the new things and the old ones. （Li， 2015）

3. Problems behind Reading Teaching

In fact， there are some problems behind reading teaching. Only they are known can reading be taught effectively.

3.1 Comprehension of Reading

Traditionally， teachers consider reading class as reading comprehension class， i.e. teachers only test whether students understand the reading text or not. When reading text is given， teachers just show students exercises， such as true or false questions， filling blanks， etc..endprint

3.2 Teaching Method of Reading Class

In general， teachers give reading class with the teaching method — grammar translation method. This teaching method nowadays can not cater to students needs for it only gives students translation of sentences in the process of reading， so it is no of significance to make use of the teaching method to some degree though it exits with importance in history.

3.3 Tasks Given in Reading Teaching

In reading teaching， tasks given must be various. Traditionally， teachers just give students sole exercises， e.g. matching， filling in the blanks so that students can not arouse interest in reading class. On the contrast， a variety of reading tasks can make reading class more attractive.

3.4 Text Interpretation

Teachers sometimes can not interpret reading text in deep meaning， i.e. teachers only give some questions which can be found easily in reading text. Thus， students can do some easy exercises but they do not improve effective reading strategies and can not cultivate attitude， awareness of culture.

4. Ways of Solving Problems behind Reading Teaching

Ways of solving problems are given from four aspects：comprehension of reading， teaching method， tasks given， and text interpretation.

4.1 Comprehension of Reading

Reading should not be taught in the pattern of reading comprehension for reading is a comprehensive process. In this process， teachers can help students improve their reading strategies， grasp language points and learn different culture.

4.2 Teaching Method of Reading Class

Teachers should adopt various teaching methods for traditional grammar translation method is not enough. There are different teaching method teachers can adopt：task-based language teaching， communicative language teaching， etc..

4.3 Tasks Given in Reading Teaching

Various tasks should be given in reading teaching， such as singing English songs， playing games， role play and so on.

4.4 Text Interpretation

Teachers should interpret reading text in different aspects：style and structure， language， text information， reading strategies， affect and culture. （Wang， 2013）

5. Conclusion

To sum up， it is hoped that reading can be taught effectively after understanding what reading is， theories， what problems behind reading teaching， and ways of solving problems.

References：

[1]Day，R.R.&Bamford，J.1998.Extensive Reading in the Second Language Classroom.Cambridge：Cambridge University Press.

作者簡介：王燕飛（1992-），女，漢族，山東煙臺人，碩士研究生在讀，魯東大學，學科教學（英語）。endprint