International TEFL InstituteApproaches to Reading – a Receptive Skill
Approaches to Reading: reading is a ‘receptive skill’ that should be done individually, as opposed to reading out loud. It is important to remember that students read at different speeds and in very different ways.
- Reading for Gist: Here, students read for an overall, general understanding of a particular text or story. Students are encouraged to devote less attention to the individual meaning of words and phrases. With regard to reading, this idea is also referred to as skimming. Students may be asked to “speed-read” through a particular text in order to answer a general question such as “Is this text about the advantages or disadvantages of CCTV surveillance?” Students must develop a tolerance for guessing. Give the students time limits in order to ensure that they skim.
- Reading for Specific Information: Here, students read for specific information. They are encouraged to understand information or specific language items in more detail. With regards to reading, this idea is also referred to as scanning. Students may be asked to read through a particular text in detail in order to answer a specific question such as ‘At what time did the train depart the station?”
- Extensive reading: This involves the reading of a longer text, often merely for pleasure and with an emphasis on the overall meaning.
- Intensive reading: Reading a short text for detailed information.
*Moreover, it is important to raise student awareness that it is not essential to understand every word when completing a reading activity.
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