This week I’m reading ‘Literature in Language Education’ a book written by Geoff Hall, an assistant editor of Language and Literature who talks about the practical guidance on how literature might be carried out in the classroom. It is being an inspirational book which is giving me more ideas and it makes me reflect on the use and improvement of the reading’s comprehension in literature.  I write about this topic because it may be interesting considering that as teachers we have to reflect about this because we will find difficulties on reading comprehension  in a Primary Education class. For this reason, I would like to write a short reflexion about this interesting topic. According to PISA reports, Spanish students (referring to Primary Education) fail in reading comprehension: It is not understood what is read. Facing the actual difficulties on reading’s comprehension the teacher’s role is essential.

It is encouraged and boost the use of literature in the class, and teachers instil in students that reading and understanding is very important for life. Teachers give many opportunities to read in class: before/after starting the class, reading as an award, reading during the break… These are appropriated methods to encourage reading which is quite important but what really matters is: Do we know what are students reading? Do students understand what they read? Are students able to retell the story?.  Probably you have frequently observed a teacher giving just a book to a student to read without emphasising on understanding.

Considering these actual questions, I suggest some strategies for a better comprehension seen from my experience.

• To begin with, dramatize is ideal for reading. There is not better method to understand than being involved in the story, students will make an effort in understanding what they are reading. The student will feel inside the story as part of it and it will be understood rather than just reading.  Dramatize is related to expression movements (drama). This is suitable for kinaesthetic students according to the Howard’s Multiple Intelligences.
• As well, teachers can select several words which are going to be eliminated and students have to guess what the words are.
• Going little by little is always the best way to learn. Sometimes, to read less understanding the story, thinking and commenting about the last read, is better rather than reading three pages and not understanding nothing at all.
• Read sentence by sentence and explain this with the students’ own words.

To sum up, new strategies are needed to improve education and reading comprehension.  Reading is a passionate requirement in children’s life and the teacher-family role is quite important to help them and make it enjoyable in order to develop their reading competence.

I hope you liked it,

See you!