Unlocking the Power of Reading: Transforming English Learners into Avid Readers in Grade 12

In today's interconnected world, being able to read and comprehend English is vital for English learners in Grade 12. Teaching reading to these students can be a challenging task, but with effective strategies and a student-centered approach, it is possible to unlock their potential and transform them into avid readers. This article explores various techniques and best practices to engage and enhance the reading skills of English learners in Grade 12, providing them with a solid foundation for academic success and future endeavors.

The Importance of Reading for English Learners

Reading is a gateway to knowledge and understanding. For English learners, reading fluency and comprehension are crucial skills that enable them to navigate through academic texts, understand complex ideas, and express themselves effectively. By developing their reading skills, English learners not only enhance their academic performance but also gain confidence in their abilities to communicate and analyze information.

1. Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Environment

A positive and inclusive learning environment is essential for the success of English learners. When teaching reading, it is vital to create a classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions, and taking risks with their reading abilities. Incorporating culturally relevant texts that reflect the students' backgrounds and interests can help establish a sense of belonging and motivate them to engage with the material.

Teaching Reading to English Learners, Grades 6 - 12: A Framework for Improving Achievement in the Content Areas

by Clinton Detweiler (2nd Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8091 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages

FREE

2. Building Vocabulary Knowledge

One of the main challenges English learners face is limited vocabulary. Building vocabulary knowledge is essential for reading comprehension. Teachers can introduce new vocabulary through explicit instruction, contextualized reading activities, and word games. Encouraging students to use new words in their writing and discussions can help reinforce their understanding and usage.

3. Providing Scaffolded Reading Instruction

Scaffolded instruction refers to the gradual release of responsibility from the teacher to the student. When teaching reading, providing appropriate supports and scaffolds based on students' needs is crucial. Start with whole-class reading activities, such as read-alouds or shared reading, to model fluent reading and introduce comprehension strategies. As students gain confidence, gradually shift to guided reading, where students read independently or in small groups, with teacher support as needed.

4. Incorporating Authentic Texts

Authentic texts, such as newspapers, magazines, and real-world articles, provide English learners with engaging and relevant reading materials. These texts expose students to authentic language use, cultural nuances, and different text structures. By using authentic texts, teachers can foster students' critical thinking skills and facilitate meaningful discussions about real-life topics.

5. Differentiating Reading Instruction

English learners are a diverse group with different abilities and needs. Differentiating reading instruction allows teachers to meet students at their individual levels and provide targeted support. Implementing flexible grouping strategies, such as literature circles, where students discuss texts with peers of similar reading abilities, can create opportunities for peer collaboration and enhance comprehension.

6. Expanding Reading Strategies

Teaching a variety of reading strategies equips English learners with tools to approach different types of texts. Explicitly teaching strategies such as predicting, summarizing, inferring, and questioning helps students become active readers. These strategies promote comprehension and critical thinking, enabling students to grasp the main ideas, analyze information, and make connections.

7. Promoting Independent Reading

Encouraging independent reading is crucial for developing reading fluency and a love for reading. Providing students with a wide range of high-interest books, both fiction and non-fiction, enables them to explore their interests and choose texts that resonate with their experiences. Allocating regular time for independent reading in class and establishing a class library can foster a reading culture and motivate students to become independent readers.

8. Integrating Technology

Incorporating technology into reading instruction can enhance engagement and interactivity for English learners. Utilizing online resources, such as interactive reading platforms, digital libraries, and educational reading applications, can provide personalized learning experiences and cater to individual needs. Technology can offer multimedia elements, vocabulary support, and adaptive assessments, providing immediate feedback and tracking students' progress.

Teaching reading to English learners in Grade 12 requires a combination of effective strategies, patience, and a student-centered approach. By creating a supportive environment, building vocabulary knowledge, providing scaffolded instruction, incorporating authentic texts, differentiating reading instruction, expanding reading strategies, promoting independent reading, and integrating technology, teachers can empower English learners to unlock the power of reading. With these strategies in place, English learners in Grade 12 can become confident, skilled readers, ready to embrace academic challenges and future opportunities.

Teaching Reading to English Learners, Grades 6 - 12: A Framework for Improving Achievement in the Content Areas

by Clinton Detweiler (2nd Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8091 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages

FREE

Retool your whole school for EL achievement 

For any student, middle and high school can be challenging. But for an English learner or striving reader—and the myriad words, phrases, syntax, texts, and concepts they must negotiate on a daily basis—the stakes seem a whole lot higher. Fortunately for content-area teachers, Margarita Calderón and Shawn Slakk make available in a single resource all the best instructional and professional development combinations for expediting comprehension across the secondary grades. 

Really a tool to assist all learners across all language needs, the second edition of Teaching Reading to English Learners, Grades 6-12, provides evidence-based strategies for helping content-area teachers and schools at large: 

• Teach academic language in all subject areas 

• Embed discourse practice through interaction strategies 

• Integrate basic and close reading comprehension skills into lessons 

• Teach drafting, revising, and editing for content-specific writing  

• Use cooperative learning to develop social emotional skills and enhance academic achievement 

Calderón and Slakk know firsthand that if we’re to counter the commonly held narrative of predictable failure among our ELs, it takes a whole school, and they have the evidence to prove it. Read Teaching Reading to English Learners, Grades 6-12, implement its strategies across all classrooms, and soon enough you, too, will maximize the comprehensions skills so critical to our ELs’ long-term success.