TEACHER TIP: Read the most important passages from content area textbooks aloud to your students as they read along in order to improve comprehension!
Reading aloud to English language learners has many benefits. ESL Researcher Stephen Krashen (2004) found that teacher read-alouds “increase students’ comprehension abilities which in turn impact language acquisition.” Other researchers found that “Teachers read aloud to model aspects of fluent reading, make texts more accessible to students, and ensure students were exposed to important information. For middle level students with decoding problems, read-alouds let the students concentrate on meaning — not pronunciation — of unknown words. Reading out loud helps second language learners develop English literacy.” (Albright and Arial, 2005). This is good news for teachers! We can use read-alouds in content areas to enhance students’ comprehension and fluency skills.
Here are some links if you are interested in learning more:
More information about the importance of read alouds:
Examples of methodology teachers have used for middle school read alouds:
Special article for content area teachers:
Krashen, S. D. (2004, June). Free voluntary reading: New research, applications, and controversies. Paper Presented at PAC5 (Pan-Asian Conference), Vladivostok, Russia, June 24.
Albright, L. K., & Arial, M. A. (2005). Tapping the potential of teacher read alouds in middle schools. Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 48(7), 582-692.