Start with a building block of words 5-7 at a time. Make sure it applies to their career choice.By building a pool of new words and meaning it will help with reading deficiencies and provide definitions of the skills themselves.
Oh I absolutely agree with students NOT reading outloud in class for all the items mentioned. But I would suggest to them that they try it at home. Hearing and seeing the words tends to help them comprehend the information.
Respectfully, I do not agree that having students read aloud is a good idea. If you already have a student who struggles with reading, s/he is not going to be comfortable reading aloud so others can hear his/her "mistakes". The student's motivational level most likely, is already low. Instructors should have the whole class select a certain number of unknown words and discuss reading strategies to better grasp the meaning of the words. Additionally, I always tell my students that reading is not a race. Especially with textbooks (versus novels), the material needs to be read at a slower pace. Breaking up the reading assignments into manageable pieces, allows the student the luxury of keeping pace with others. For example: If 20 pages are assigned within a 2 day period, the students should be encouraged to read 10 pages each night. Suggest note taking in margins too.
Hi Bernie!
No, I haven't had this specific experience in dealing with ESL students. But I would say that you treat them no different than any other student who is being disruptive. I would also expect them to speak English - but that may be a delicate situation. I would talk with other instructors who may have had the same challenge and find out how they handled it.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
Do you have any suggestions to dealing with students who are having issues with English talking amongst themselves and disrupting the class. Since I don't know Spanish I'm not even sure if they're helping each other understand, and that I should find a way for them to take in this information without disturbing the class, or if it's just an issue with being impolite.
When reading during class time I either have someone read aloud (that either volunteers or I know is a capable reader) or break the students up into partners or groups for reading. I will also sometimes point out the key passages or points of the reading to help out those with deficiencies.
Hi Peter!
I always appreciated instructors who broke down concepts into real work terminology. I think this helps all students. Slowing down is a key strategy in assisting students with reading comprehension challenges.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Word flash cards associated with pictures and demonstrations.
Couldn't this cause undue embarassment?
Students interest is the first thing that an insructor should look at the have them read that subject matter to help them more.
I like to really examine each lecture and break down any word or concept to its most basic form prior to any class. If you recognize ahead of time potential words, statements or ideas that will throw a student off, by slowing down and correctly defining its meaning or use, I have found that fewer students get lost during a lecture and stay focused with better comprehension.
See if there is any supplemental material that might be easier to read and still achieve the goals
most of the issues ive found have been not so much reading but understanding the material. So i will stop after they have read the sentence and have them explain to me what they have read they i will break it down and expain it for them.
Have the students read aloud
I understand first hand about students with reading/comprehension challenges. My son and husband have these challenges and patience along with repetition are a must. I also find if I ask a question or give directions I need to ask a couple of different ways to insure the concept is grasped. Giving verbal and visual cues allows them to be successful on their own and without fear of ridicule from others.
I am an ESOl teacher so all my students are ELL's. Because I am dealing with pronunciation and understanding issues, I handle reading passages by first modeling the reading myself. Then I encourage students to raise their hands and ask about the meaning of words they do not understand. Finally, we go around the room reading the passage and taking turns.This is followed by a discussion of the material. That way, students profit from listening to their classmates and to themselves.
I also encourage them to record reading passages that we have studied at home,after listening to the cd, so they can listen to themselves and self correct.
For college-level students, refer them to a reading lab on campus or otherwise. This is a basic skill that should not have to be taught by a college instructor.
What i suggest to students is to read,small section,i give them 4 things to look for, when their reading,what it is,where is it,and what it does, and does it effect me.For people that have trouble reading and dont like to read if they have something to look for in the reading they do better. Like reading a novel you like,those are the same things we look for.
I have all of my students read in class so I do not single anyone out. I also make them repeat words they struggle with so they can do better the next time they see the word.
