Reading fluency is something that most, if not all, English learners strive to achieve. Reading fluency oftentimes takes many years to achieve because fluent readers reach a level of accuracy in which they no longer have to slow down or re-read a word or phrase in order to understand or decode it. Rather, fluent readers can simply place all of their attention to understanding the meaning of what they are reading. According to Colorin Colorado, reading “fluency acts as a bridge between word recognition and comprehension.” Further, when English leaner students fully comprehend the meaning of the text being read, it is easier to interpret it. Read on to learn more information regarding reading fluency for English leaners.
Phonics Instruction
In order to ensure reading fluency for English learners, teachers should be sure to include the instruction of phonics in the classroom. By teaching students phonics it will help them understand that the English language contains “systematic and predictable relationships between written letters and spoken sounds.” It is important for English learners to learn and practice certain sounds. Phonics helps English learner students in decoding language and helping to understand the meaning of words.
Vocabulary Building
Building a robust vocabulary is pertinent for English learners, so that they can achieve reading fluency. The only way to understand a certain text is to be able to read and comprehend terms and phrases in text. Learning new vocabulary gives English learners the chance to use new words. It is also important to make sure that English learners don’t get confused with cognates, which are two separate words, from two separate languages. Although cognates sounds alike and have a similar root word, they are not the same.
Encourage Reading Comprehension
Total reading fluency doesn’t occur unless English learners fully comprehend what they are reading. Therefore, it is important that teachers encourage reading comprehension through exercises in which students practice decoding words and finding similarities between words that they already know. Reading comprehension involves the ability to think critically about what has been read. A good way to encourage reading comprehension is to read bilingual books to and with students. Students will be able to make connections between words they know in their first language and their second language, in turn better comprehending what has been read.
Lectura Books offers 3 Family Phonics workbooks to help Spanish-speakers learn English phonics.
