5. Instructional Strategies for Teaching Reading, Writing & Vocabulary

This is what I have learned in the 5th module in the TESOL Methodology course, however, the volume of each module gets bigger as it proceeds. Therefore, I have to be in a hurry to review all the modules because my memory of them is fading as time goes by (I finished the course last September).

Teaching Reading

The research suggested that providing various texts, especially attractive ones for learners, and let them read based on their prior knowledge is enhancing learners' reading level: The Whole Language approach (Goodman, 1967). Even if learners encounter unfamiliar words, they will be able to make a guess, using background knowledge. On the other hand, the researchers also recommended starting from a direct approach to letters and syllables in reading: The Phonics approach (Goodman, 1967). Consequently, combination of the two approaches is important (Thomas Baker, 2008).

The concepts above are similar to Bottom-up Approach/Top-down Approach to reading. In either approach, it is crucial for teachers to have students engage in reading activities. To prevent passive reading, which might be led by multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, or gap-filling questions, activating students' critical thinking is effective to let them involved in reading (Rosane Correia, 2006).

◆Pre-reading activities － discussions, questioning, KWL organizer

◆While-reading activities － creating diagrams (in pairs), note-taking (individual)

◆Post-reading activities － discussions, role-play, retelling, summary writing

After learning this module, I actually tried applying KWL organizer: What I Know, What I Want to know, What I Learned, to my reading class. It was a helpful scaffolding for my students to start reading, especially it stimulated their prior knowledge on the topic. As they are often given reading materials from teachers, students might be passive when it comes to reading English. Questioning and sharing what they think with peers are also effective to involve students into the theme of passage. 

Teaching Writing

As for writing in English, EFL students tend to be at a loss from the beginning. Therefore, scaffolding before writing, which is usually very time-consuming, is important and teachers should understand students' need to apply suitable strategies for them. 

◆Pre-writing － journaling, free-writing, brain storming, mapping/diagraming

◆Drafting

◆Revision

◆Editing－ grammatical errors, peer feedback, helping learners notice their own mistakes

Teaching grammar and vocabulary are parallel learnings in reading and writing. However, in writing, it is almost impossible to write adequately without having those knowledge. 

Teaching Vocabulary

◆Intentional learning－bingo, word sorting, crossword, analysis

◆Incidental learning

To enhance students' vocabulary level, using Word Part Clues: root, suffixes, and prefixes, is a strategy that teachers should remember.