Reading involves decoding words and comprehending meaning. It requires knowledge of language, reading strategies, and background knowledge. Developing literacy in a native language first makes learning English literacy easier by transferring skills like decoding, comprehension, and reading for pleasure or information. Effective reading instruction incorporates phonics, sight words, predictable books, a print-rich environment, and comprehension strategies. Picture books engage young learners and support developing literacy.

2. What is reading?
Reading is a set of skills that
involves making sense and deriving
meaning from the printed word.
In order to read we must be able to
decode (sound out) the printed
words and also comprehend what
we read.

3. Elements that impact
reading
The child’s background
knowledge
The child’s linguistic
knowledge of the target
language
Strategies or techniques
the child uses to tackle the
text

4. Children who can
read in their native
language may also
know that reading
can be for both
pleasure and
information. By
developing strong
literacy skills in their
native language, it
will be easier for
young learners to
transfer those skills
into English.

5. Decoding
In order to read, we must
recognize the symbols that
form or make up words.
When readers decode, they
decipher individual words.
Many languages use a
phonetic alphabet. In these
languages, written symbols
represent a specific sound or
phoneme.
English has 40 sounds but
uses only 26 symbols.

6. Comprehension
The aim of reading is
comprehension. Just
because a learner knows
how to pronounce
written words correctly,
doesn’t mean that he
can read.

7. Reading for pleasure
Stories provide enjoyment for
readers of all ages.
Bedtime stories are wonderful
because children see themselves
as getting a double treat, they
are unaware that when they
listen to a story being read aloud,
they are being introduced to the
idea that reading can be used as
a form of entertainment.

8. Reading for information
Reading for information can be
as simple as reading a menu at a
restaurant. If a young learner’s
mother uses a cookbook, the
child may help by reading
different parts of the recipe to her
mother.
Reading for information can also
give children pleasure.

9. Vision problems
When children with poor
eyesight are learning to read in
their native language, they can
often decipher fuzzy or unclear
symbols because they can
draw upon their vast oral
language knowledge to help
determine specific patterns of
symbols and words from
context.

10. Behaviors that indicate
vision problems
Squints, closes/covers one eye
Holds a book close to the face
Holds a book far away from the face
Loses places while reading
Complains of headaches after reading
Complains of double vision
Tilts head to one side

11. The development of reading
skills
Phonics based instruction:
intended to teach students the
basic English-language phonics
rules so that they can easily
decode words. “The purpose of
phonics instruction is to teach
beginning readers that printed
letters represent speech sounds
head in words.”

12. Literature-based approach: It is
designed to help young learners
develop literacy skills within the
context of literature.
Currently, the value of picture books is
continuing to be acknowledged in ESL
and EFL programs.

13. Classroom techniques and
activities
Phonics: Introduce sounds and letters
that are associated with specific
nouns. There are many ways for YL to
learn the initial sounds of words.
Predictable stories and pattern books:
The predictable story contains
repetitive phrases and predictable
language.
Sight words: They are high-frequency
words children can recognize on sight
without having to decode the letters.
Example: The, all, an, and I.

14. Print-rich environment: Hudelson (1994) points out
that children who come from societies filled with print
are likely to learn at a very early age that print serves
different purposes or functions

15. Language experience
approach
It is used to help native English speaking, ESL, and
EFL children develop beginning literacy skills.
Learners participate in a group activity and then
describe what happened in their own words.

16. Reading in the classroom
Young learners should be taught
comprehension strategies when
they read pieces of text for
information. Children often enjoy
reading short magazine-style
articles in their ESL or EFL course
books.
One of the things that is so nice
about children’s picture books is
that the pictures are often very
engaging.

17. Conclusion
The two main purposes of
reading were discussed-reading
for pleasure and reading for
information. The use of
authentic materials including
environmental print as well as
materials which are intended for
ESL and EFL learners.