What does Reading develop and how?

Encouraging students' responses: The more students connect with a text, the better they understand it. A great way to engage them is by asking if they liked the text and why. This helps them read not just with their minds but also with emotion. Another approach is to ask which characters they liked or disliked and why, encouraging deeper thinking.

Students can also mark texts with symbols to show their reactions, such as agree, disagree, don’t understand, surprising, or funny. These markings reveal how well they comprehend the text while allowing them to express personal opinions. This makes reading more interactive and meaningful! Let me know if you need further changes. 

Transferring information: Students can show they understand a text by sharing the information in different ways. For example, they can organize details into charts, graphs, or tables to make the ideas clear. Another way is through role-play, where one student pretends to be a reporter asking questions, and the other gives answers based on the text. Students can also retell the story as a new character or from a different point of view. These activities help students pay close attention to the text and share the information appropriately.

Interrogating the text: Texts that present opinions or controversial topics can help students think critically. By analyzing these texts, students learn to understand not only the main ideas but also the deeper meanings and implications. This process encourages them to interpret information carefully and express their own viewpoints, strengthening their comprehension skills. 

Using reading as a springboard: After students finish reading a text, they can participate in various activities to deepen their understanding. They could debate the topic, role-play the characters, or write a response in the form of a letter. Another option is to present the information using charts, diagrams, or other formats.

Additionally, students can research related topics online or in books. This helps them keep working with the same vocabulary and encourages them to read more. These activities make reading more engaging and meaningful.

References

Harmer, J. (2015) “The practice of English Teaching”. Pearson Educational Limited – Longman. Fifth edition. England.