The document outlines the agenda for a class which includes a discussion on the importance of reading for learning a foreign language. It will cover reading as an academic practice, comprehension strategies like summarizing and questioning, and activities including a midterm exam. Key points that will be discussed are how reading improves vocabulary and understanding of idioms, exposes students to different writing styles, and improves speaking skills through exposure to new information and vocabulary. Comprehension strategies like summarizing, questioning, story mapping, and using prior knowledge will be covered.

1. TODAY’S AGENDA
+ Reading as an academic practice and it importance in learning a
foreign language
+ Reading comprehension and strategies
+ Activity
+ Break
+ Activity (1st midterm)
+ Check attendance

2. READING AS AN
ACADEMIC
PRACTICE

3. READING AS AN ACADEMIC PRACTICE
+ The key purpose of academic reading is the acquisition and
construction of subject knowledge, however, it also plays a much
broader role in academic development and success.
+ It helps students to interact with and make connections and
judgements between texts, question contributions, and challenge
inherent biases and arguments. In this way, academic reading is
linked to the development of critical thinking.
+ However, it is necessary to practice in order to develop this skill
(reading comprehension)

4. How important is
reading for learning a
foreign language?

5. Reading as a Foreign Language Vocabulary
Builder
+ Reading improves your vocabulary. Seeing the words on the page can
help give you context. Although a greater vocabulary doesn’t mean
fluency, it’s crucial to becoming proficient in a foreign language.
+ Chances are, you aren’t reading just for the vocabulary. There is a
certain pleasure in reading. If you keep that in mind, you can select
books that interest you. You will be able to learn new vocabulary
words much more quickly because you will focus better.

6. Reading as a Foreign Language Vocabulary
Builder
+ You will also pick up idioms and phrases. This directly increases your
fluency. You’ll understand everyday speech easier. When you’re
reading, idioms and phrases are given a context in a safe space. You
won’t feel embarrassed when you’re unfamiliar with a saying. Feel free
to look things up as you go to understand.
+ As you read, focus on ideas and not just words. The point of reading is
to comprehend what you are reading first, which you are much more
likely to do if you aren’t too intent on single words. Vocabulary is just
a great benefit of reading – it is not the sole purpose.

7. Reading improves your speaking skill
+ Reading also lets you think about things you probably wouldn’t think
about otherwise.
+ Most people write very differently from how they talk – especially
professional writers and journalists. Therefore, you will have access to
information that has been expressed in different styles (informal /
formal styles)

8. READING COMPREHENSION
+ Reading comprehension is the ability to read text, process it, and
understand its meaning.
+ Proficient reading depends on the ability to recognize words quickly
and effortlessly.
+ Ability of an individual to comprehend text depends upon:
1. Prior knowledge about the subject
2. Well-developed language skills
3. The ability to make inferences

9. Reading Comprehension Strategies
1. Summarizing
2. Questioning
3. Story mapping
4. Monitoring
5. Question answering
6. Graphic organizers
7. Mental imagery
8. Prior knowledge

10. 1. Summarizing
Students identify what is important in the text by:
 retelling short parts of the text
 identify crucial details
 practice identifying crucial and irrelevant information in
the text
 locate key words and phrases that are meaningful to the
summary
 identify the main idea

11. 2. Questioning
+ Students generate question before reading to increase interest
and motivation as well as activate background knowledge and
schema.
+ During reading students learning to ask questions to themselves
and others in order to focus on meaning and important points
throughout the text.
+ After reading questions can deepen understanding of the text
and clear confusions.
+ Questioning can lead to deep conversations.

12. 3, Story Mapping
+ In story structure instruction, students learn to identify the
categories of content

13. 4. Monitoring
+ Students monitor their own thinking and understanding and make
actionable decisions about what to do when they don’t understand
• Identify what is not understood
• Stop at the end of a smaller section of text to monitor for understanding
• Use fix-up strategies

14. 5. Question Answering
+ Answering questions can:
• Give students a purpose for reading
• Focus students’ attention as they read
• Help students be active thinkers
• Help students self-monitor comprehension
• Make connections to what students know

15. 6. Graphic Organizers
+ Illustrate concepts and relationships between concepts in a
text or using diagrams.

16. 7. Mental Imagery
+ Visualize parts of the story in ones mind to increase
understanding.
• Talk about particularly descriptive information
• Share the image and compare people’s images
• Keep track of how images change as students continue to read
• Practice and encourage students to integrate on their own

17. 8. Prior Knowledge
+ All of the experiences readers have had, including information they
have learned. This knowledge is used to bring texts to life and to
make them more relevant to the reader – activating allows students
to make more connections to the new information with connections
that allow them to access their schema.
+ Help students “think about their thinking”

18. 9. Fluency
+ Fluency is “reasonably accurate reading, at an appropriate rate,
with suitable expression, that leads to accurate and deep
comprehension and motivation to read” (Hasbrouck & Glaser,
2012, p. 13).
+ Fluency is NOT just reading words fast.

19. Building Fluency
+ Don’t abandon foundational instruction of phonemics,
high-frequency word practice & vocabulary.
+ Provide extensive opportunities for students to read and
reread texts – practice orally
• Practice with shorter familiar passages
• Read familiar poems and song lyrics
• Practice short highly used phrases
• Reader’s Theater

20. Building Fluency
+ Expand vocabulary instruction in the context of authentic
reading – engage in rich discussions about words and building
meaning
+ Provide access to media and models that allow students to hear
fluent reading
• Reading along with audio books and videos
• Shared Reading
• Echo Reading

21. LET’S REFLECT ON THIS…
+ Reading and writing skills play an important role in keeping and
transmiting information from one generation to another.
+ The reality of the digital age is finally triggering the changes in
formal education settings that research has demanded for at least a
decade (knowledge vs digital age)