11/8/09

Using Reading to Enhance L2 Acquisition

! Hands down, reading is the the most powerful tool teachers possess to accelerate the rate of acquisition.

Reading
! 70% of a literate persons vocabulary comes from reading. ! Has to feel effortless for it to result in language development. ! 98% comprehensible in order for it to help the reader acquire new vocabulary.
Free Voluntary reading: New Research, Applications, and Controversies Stephen Krashen. Presented at PAC5 (Pan-Asian Conference), Vladivostok, Russia, June 24, 2004

Reading
Acquisition happens gradually and occurs best when texts are very comprehensible.! I now suspect that interesting is not enoughthe input has to be compelling so interesting that all the attention is focused on the message, and thoughts of anxiety to not even occur so interesting tha the acquirer forgets that the input is in another language.!
Dr. Stephen Krashen - www.sdkrashen.com!

Reading
! Recreational reading is the bridge that makes harder reading and more demanding input more comprehensible.
Free Voluntary reading: New Research, Applications, and Controversies Stephen Krashen. Presented at PAC5 (Pan-Asian Conference), Vladivostok, Russia, June 24, 2004

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Reading
Free reading is not only a bridge to the acquisition of more complex language; it also allows the FL student to maintain contact with the target language, and to continue to improve, despite the absence of native speakers.!
Krashen, S. (2000). FL the Easy Way!

Using L1 Literacy Skills to Enhance SLA

The clearest, unambiguous finding of hundreds of research studies on bilingual literacy is that first-language literacy is a crucial variable influencing second-language literacy in a very positive way.
(Au,1993; Bialystok, 1991; Cummins, 1989, 1991, 1996; Cummins & Swain, 1986; Freeman & Freeman, 1992; Genesee, 1987, 1994; Hudelson, 1994, etc.)

Literacy
A powerful way to thrust your students into learning content and culture!

Enhancing Language Skills through level-appropriate texts

! Start at the bottom and work your way up

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Pre-Reading Strategies
A.! Preview vocabulary B.! Prompt background knowledge C.! Make predictions

While you read/

A.! B.! C.! D.! Establish meaning Make connections Elicit engagement Teach grammar

Comprehension Strategies
! Vocabulary meaning ! ID key words ! Make note of unknown vocabulary. ! ID main ideas ! ID Basic events

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Establish meaning
! ID main characters
! Discuss their importance and their impact. ! Compare/contrast

Connections
! Do you personally identify with any of the characters or events? ! Listen to this phrase: Which scene from the story is this from? Does this phrase remind you of any other stories. ! Describe a scenario in which you would / could use that phrase.

! Focus on larger themes & topics

! NOT on isolated facts

Connections
! What if a different character said ___? Would you interpret it the same? ! What if you or your mom, friend, etc. said it?

Connections
! Creative and intuitive reasoning
! What do you think will happen next? ! What do you WANT to happen? ! How should it take place?

! Personal application
! If you were Character A, what would you ! If you were in the same situation, what would you

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Connections
! Side conversations
! Main character and a distant friend or relative ! Secondary character and a distant friend ! Add an imaginary character to story ! A letter to: ! A counselor ! a classmate friend