Journal of English Language Teaching

Building Better Readers: The Role of Reading Strategies

Jalson Jacob

Assistant Professor of English, Government Polytechnic College, Vennikulam, Kerala, India

Keywords: Effective reading, good readers, reading strategies

---

Abstract

Exploring effective reading strategies to tackle the problem of reading comprehension is not an easy pedagogic activity. Students need to be trained to use the reading strategies effectively in order to solve the various issues related to reading. If not equipped to become autonomous, skilled readers, they are unlikely to make academic achievements and excel in their professional lives. This paper details how lack of proper background knowledge in the subject concerned, inability to understand the general content of the topic being discussed, unfamiliar words in a text material, poor grammar knowledge and non- motivating texts hinder smooth reading by the students. It also suggests practical remedies to make reading a meaningful, productive and focussed academic activity.

---

References

Anderson, Neil. (1999). Exploring second language reading: Issues and strategies. Boston: Heinle and Heinle.

Bailey, E. (2015). Reading comprehension skills: Making predictions. Retrieved April 20, 2020, from: http://specialed.about.com/od/readingliteracy/a/Reading-Comprehension-Skills-Making-Predictions.html

Block, C. & Israel, S. (2005). Reading first and beyond: The complete guide for teachers and literacy coaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Dubin, F. (1993). Predicting word meanings from contextual clues: Evidence from L1 readers. In Huckin, T., Haynes, M. and Coady, J. (Eds.), Second language reading and vocabulary learning, (181-202). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

Duke, N. K. & Pearson, P. (2002). Effective practices for developing reading comprehension. In Alan E Farstrup & S. Jay Samuels (Eds.), What research has to say about reading instruction (205-242). Newark, DE: International Reading Association, Inc.

Grabe, W. (2009). Reading in a second language: Moving from theory to practice. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Guthrie, J. T., Wigfield, A. (2000). Engagement and motivation in reading. In M. L. Kamil, P. B. Mosenthal, P.D. Pearson, and R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of reading research (Vol. III, 403-422). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Harvey, S., Goudvis, A. (2000). Strategies that work: Teaching comprehension to enhance understanding. New York, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

Koda, K. (2005). Insights into second language reading: A cross-linguistic approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nation, P. and J. Coady. (1988). Vocabulary and reading. In R. Carter et al. (eds.) Vocabulary and language teaching. London: Longman.

Williams, R. (1984). A cognitive approach to English nominal compounds. In A. K. Pugh & J. M. Ulijn (Eds.), Reading for professional purposes (146-153). London: Heinemann.