Michael,
 
Native English speakers, or those from different language groups who have attained fluent speaking and listening skills in English.  One of the critical linchpins is an assisted reading methodology implemented through a subtle scaffolding sensibility that yields the students successfully greater control in reading the passage independently to the extent that they gain the capacity to do so.  This is not meant to dismiss the importance of isolated skill work or concentration on comprehension activities, but only when working on fluency to utilize fluency-building methodolologies and relevant methodologies at other portions of the lesson that correspond to what is being emphasized.

 

Even in fluency work assisted reading is only one (often underutilized) method.  Giving students texts short texts that they can read independently and/or building in word attack skills while working with a small passage is also feasible.  It all depends on what you are seeking to accomplish.  In the assisted reading approach, comprehension is reinforced through the multiple readings of a text
 
Best,
 
George
 






From: mgyori at mauilanguage.com
To: gdemetrion at msn.com; assessment at nifl.gov
Subject: RE: [Assessment 1902] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 16:25:35 -1000








Hi George,
 
Are you referring to ESL students, and if so, are they literate in their L1?
 
Thanks,
 
Michael
 


From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of George Demetrion
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 1:00 PM
To: assessment at nifl.gov
Subject: [Assessment 1902] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!
 
Hi Michael,
 
In our experience in working with beginning and low intermedaite adult readers in small group contexts reading aloud combined with an assisted reading approach is a reasonably effective way of developing fluency. http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/interventions/rdngfluency/assistrdng.php. We have also found that comprehension is not ususally diverted during such reading, but that reading out loud faciliates comprehension through a multi-sensory learning dynamic.
 
Best,
 
George Demetrion
 



From: mgyori at mauilanguage.com
To: assessment at nifl.gov
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 09:01:03 -1000
Subject: [Assessment 1899] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!

Hi Dianna,
 
I doubt that reading out loud increases fluency of reading comprehension.  Attention is diverted from understanding words to enunciating them.
 
My recommendation is that fear of reading out loud shouldn’t be an issue --- reading TO students produces better results, in my opinion.
 
Michael
 


From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Dianna Baycich
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:28 AM
To: 'The Assessment Discussion List'
Subject: [Assessment 1898] Re: Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!
 
In response to Marie's question, the report shows that there is a continuing need for adult literacy, especially at the lowest levels. With the current focus on transitions in adult education, there is a concern that students at these lowest levels will be neglected. 
 
The report also highlights the importance of reading fluency. Adult literacy teachers often neglect fluency, saying their students would "rather die than read out loud". How can we help students improve their reading fluency in a non-threatening way?
 
Dianna
 



From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Marie Cora
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:28 AM
To: Assessment at nifl.gov
Subject: [Assessment 1897] Basic Reading Skills Discussion Begins Today!
Hello everyone, I hope this email finds you well.
 
Today begins our discussion on
Basic Reading Skills and the Literacy of the America's Least Literate Adults: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) Supplemental Studies
I am pleased to welcome Dr. Sheida White and Dr. John Sabatini as guests for this 4-day discussion.  Please visit the URL below for the full announcement and information on accessing the report.
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/assessment/09readingskills.html
 
I hope you have had the opportunity to read through the Executive Summary of the report.  Please send your questions and comments about the report to the discussion list now.  
 
I will start us off with a question for subscribers:  What does the report tell you about the need for adult literacy services today, and how might this affect your program practice?
 
Thanks!
 
Marie
 
 
Marie Cora
Assessment Discussion List Moderator
 
 
 
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