Работа с чтением на уроках английского языка
методическая разработка по английскому языку (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 класс)

How to work on reading and why is it important?

Reading – is a very important part of learning process, though it is often underestimated.

• It helps students discover the world
• Develops imagination and creativity
• Improves vocabulary

Reading stages:

• Pre-reading
• While-reading
• Post-reading

Here are some examples of how to organize work on each step

Pre-reading

• Brainstorm
• Mind map
• Forecasting
• Associations

While-reading

• Insert (I – interactive N – noting S – system E – effective R – reading and T – thinking)

• Fill in the gaps
• Find heading for each paragraph
• Text puzzle
• T/F/not stated

Post-reading

• Thick and thin questions
• T\F questions auction
• Mind map
• Debates

Work example on the text «On the Rickshaw to see the Olympics»:

Pre-reading example on text «On the Rickshaw to see the Olympics»:

“Today we are going to read a very interesting story about a young man from China. Why is it interesting? Because he had an amusing travelling. But, before reading it, let’s divide into 2 groups. So, you have some pictures. Think it over and try to make a story according to these pictures. It depends on your fantasy.”

For weaker students you can put a phrase on the board: «Crossing the world on a Rickshaw to see the Olympics»

Having finished with the stories, open books and begin working on the text and highlighted words, try not to translate them directly, but use a guessing method.

While-reading

This step allows us to concentrate on the idea of the text. At first ask students to divide the text into paragraphs and find in each the key phrase which keeps the main idea.

“Now read the text. Divide it into three paragraphs. Choose one main sentence which describes it. Try to explain your choice.”

 Next step can be the task on True, False, Not stated 

• The story began in 1998
• Chen Guan Ming was married
• He cycled 90000 km
• When he arrived to London he was alone, because he didn’t have friends.
• In 2013 he turned back to London
• He put his rickshaw on a  ship to Mexico
• Chen Guan Ming now lives in Canada

Post-reading

This step is very important for speaking skills development. First, ask children to express their opinion based on key sentences.

• What I found most interesting about this text was ____________________________________________________________________
• What I found most boring about this text was ____________________________________________________________________
• What I found most shocking about this text was ____________________________________________________________________
• What I found most informative about this text was ____________________________________________________________________
• What I found most irritating about this text was ____________________________________________________________________
• What I found most incredible about this text was ____________________________________________________________________

Now students are ready to express their own opinion. As students work in groups it’s great to organize debates. Give the time for preparation.

• IT IS VERY COOL TO SPEND A PART OF YOUR LIFE ON TRAVELLING LIKE THIS.
• IT IS VERY BAD, AS YOU DON’T HAVE FAMILY OR PLACE TO LIVE

Work example on the text «Life in Space by Aaron Higgins»:

Many people say they want to be an astronaut, but do they know what it’s really like? When astronauts are in space, they feel weightless. They can float. This sounds like fun, but it is not that simple. The human body is used to being on Earth, but some people stay out in space for months. A lot of strange things happen to the body when it floats for that long.

Astronauts sometimes feel sick in space. It takes a few days for them to get used to feeling weightless and being able to float.

Being in space also changes how blood flows in the body. In space, more blood flows to the astronauts’ heads so their faces get puffy and their necks get bigger. At the same time, less blood flows to their legs, making them skinny. They call this condition “bird legs.”

 To help keep their muscles strong, astronauts have to do exercises when they are in space. They use big rubber bands attached to the walls of the ship and hook them over their shoulders. Then they bend their knees and press against the rubber bands to make their legs stronger.

Even with regular exercise in space, astronauts come back feeling weak. It takes time for them to get back their Earth legs and learn how to live with gravity again.

Forecasting

Prepare pictures that are closely connected with the topic of the text, but do not reveal it directly. Ask students to guess what the text is about.

• To be honest
• If you ask me
• The fact I find shocking
• I’ve always thought

• The way I see it           

Post-reading

T\F questions auction

Prepare cards with T/F letters on them and cards with numbers from 1 to 5. Organize an auction, where divide students into groups and ask them to decide either sentences that you read are T or F and evaluate their answers from 1 to 5. If they are correct the team gets the scores, but  if not they lose.