READING SKILL

  

READING SKILL

Reading is the most useful and important skill. It is more important than speaking and writing. Reading is a source of joy. Listening and speaking are the reproductive aspects and reading and writing are the productive aspects of language skills. The learners of English must know reading English because reading opens the gate of knowledge.

MICRO SKILLS

Some micro-skills are involved in reading. The reader has to:

1. Decipher the script. In an alphabetic system or a syllabary, this means establishing a relationship between sound and symbol. In a pictograph system, it means associating the meaning of the words written symbols.

          2. Recognise vocabulary.

          3. Pick out key words.

          4. Such as those identifying topics and main ideas.

          5. Figure out the meaning of the words, including unfamiliar terms.

          6. Vocabulary, from the 9written0 context.

        7. Detect sentence constituents, such as subject, verb, object, preposition         etc.

TYPES OF READING

There are mainly six types of reading:

          1. Loud reading.

          2. Silent reading.

          3. Intensive reading.

          4. Extensive reading.

          5. Supplementary reading.

          6. Library reading.

In the recent publication of Day 1993 which gives a variety of new ways of teaching reading, the editor classifies reading into three kinds:

          1. Loud/Oral reading

2. Intensive reading.

          3. Extensive reading

LOUD READING: Loud reading is also known as oral reading. While teaching loud reading, the teacher should emphasise on correct pronunciation. He should correct the wrong pronunciation immediately and give a drill of correct pronunciation to the entire class.

ADVANTAGES OF LOUD READING:

1. Students follow the model reading of their teacher and thus learn the right method of reading.

2. This develops the skill of speech and giving lectures.

3. Mistakes concerning pronunciation can be correct quickly.

4. It trains sensory organs – eyes, ears, and mouth because in loud reading they work in coordination.

5. Students learn by imitation.

SILENT READING: While doing silent reading the student should concentrate his/her attention in understanding the subject matter or topic. It means that reading should be silent without disturbance from any quarter. Silent reading is regarded as the most important aspect of reading:

ADVANTAGES OF SILENT READING:

1. Obviously the speed in silent reading is more than in the case of reading aloud, so it saves time and energy.

2. It develops the ability to read with interest.

3. After reading a passage the students can translate it into their own language.

4. It initiates self-education and deep study.

5. In later life silent reading has immense value in public places.

INTENSIVE READING: Intensive reading means the detailed study of the prescribed prose/passage. Intensive study is. Therefore, also called a detailed study, Intensive reading requires concentration on the subject matter.

THE OBJECTIVES OF INTENSIVE READING:

1. To promote a deeper knowledge of the language on the subject matter and power of expression.

2. To enable the students to understand the matter and write English language correctly.

3. To develop the habit of thinking in English among the students.

4. To enable them to pronounce the words correctly.

5. To enable them to know the language completely by heart.

STEPS IN INTENSIVE READING:

Following steps should be taken for intensive reading:   

1. Selection of the topic.

2. Introduction of the topic.

3. Presentation of text.

4. Model reading.

5. Loud reading.

6. Explanation.

7. Testing the comprehension level of students.

ADVANTAGES OF INTENSIVE READING:

1. It increases the active and accurate vocabulary.

2. It helps in learning grammar.

3. It explains the meaning.

4. It improves the power of expression.

5. It is the most effective method of teaching the subject matter.

EXTENSIVE READING: Extensive reading is also known by the means of rapid reading or independent reading. Extensive reading has been strongly recommended by Indian Education Commission (1964-66). The chief purpose of extensive reading is to concentrate upon the subject matter. Extensive reading means reading silently and quickly in order to understand the subject matter.

THE OBJECTIVES OF EXTENSIVE READING:

1. To enable the students to understand the meaning of the passage and prose as clearly as possible.

2. To increase the accurate and active vocabulary of students.

3. To develop an interest in reading in the students.

4. To promote the habit of self-study in students.

5. To develop the power of concentration in students.

STEPS IN EXTENSIVE READING:

Following are the steps in extensive reading:

          1. Introduction.

          2. Silent reading.

          3. Questioning.

          4. Recapitulation.

In the procedure of extensive reading it is desirable to have the following points in mind as advised by Thomas and Wyatt:

          1. The matter must be understood by readers in order to increase                        interest.

          2. The matter should be read rapidly, otherwise, interest will flag.

ADVANTAGES OF EXTENSIVE READING:

1. It keeps the entire class busy and active.

2. It helps in the assimilation of ideas and thoughts.

3. It increases vocabulary.

4. It has a high ‘transfer of learning value. Since it prepares students for                library reading.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

The function of supplementary reading is to supplement the work of intensive reading. The supplementary reader should be of a standard language, so that the students may read and understand it with someone’s help.

ADVANTAGES OF SUPPLEMENTARY READING

1. The word and phrases occurring in the textbook occur again in supplementary reading. In this way, they become firmly established in the minds of pupils.

2. The pupils develop a habit of reading.

 

LIBRARY READING:

Library reading is like supplementary reading. It encourages extensive reading but both differ at different points. The important points about library reading are:

          1. It is not a supervised reading.

          2. It is done in a formal situation of class-room.

          3. It is not done in set lessons.

METHODS OF TEACHING READING:

There are seven main methods of teaching reading. These are:

1. Alphabetic method.

2. Syllabic method.

3. Word method.

4. Phrase method.

5. Sentence method.

6. Story method.

7. Phonic method.

AIMS OF TEACHING READING:

          1. To read English with accuracy.

          2. To read with fluency.

          3. To read with the correct pronunciation.

          4. To read with understanding.

          5. To enable pupils to take pleasure in reading.

          6. To enable pupils to form a habit of reading.