Reading skill:
Potential barriers to reading
Reading is a fundamental skill, but it’s not always easy. Learners often face barriers that make it difficult to understand texts, whether it’s unfamiliar vocabulary, complex sentences, or cultural references. As teachers, it’s our job to identify these barriers and find ways to make texts more accessible. In this lesson, we’ll explore some common difficulties learners face and share practical strategies to help them overcome these challenges.
What are the potential
barriers to reading?
Here are some of the most common difficulties learners may encounter when trying to understand texts:
Unfamiliar vocabulary:
Learners may struggle with words they’ve never seen before, especially if the text is full of technical terms or idiomatic expressions.
Example:
A student might not understand the phrase “break the ice” if they’ve never heard it before.
Complex sentence structures:
Long, complicated sentences with multiple clauses can be hard to follow, especially for beginners.
Example:
“The book, which had been left on the table by the teacher, was quickly picked up by the student, who was eager to start reading.”
Cultural references:
Texts often include references to cultural events, traditions, or historical figures that learners may not be familiar with.
Example:
A text mentioning “Thanksgiving” might confuse learners from countries where this holiday isn’t celebrated.
Lack of background knowledge:
If learners don’t have prior knowledge of the topic, they may find it hard to understand the text.
Example:
A student reading about climate change might struggle if they don’t know basic concepts like “greenhouse gases.”
Poor reading skills:
Some learners may lack basic reading skills, such as phonics, fluency, or comprehension strategies.
Example:
A beginner might struggle to sound out words or understand how sentences are structured.
Text density:
Dense texts with too much information or few visual breaks (like paragraphs or headings) can overwhelm learners.
Example:
A long academic article with no subheadings or images can be intimidating.
How to make reading texts more
intelligible to learners
Now that we’ve identified the barriers, here are some practical ways to help learners overcome them:
Pre-teach vocabulary:
- Introduce key words and phrases before students read the text. Use definitions, examples, and visuals to make the vocabulary clear.
- Example: Before reading a text about space, teach words like “orbit,” “gravity,” and “astronaut.”
Simplify sentence structures:
- Break down complex sentences into smaller, more manageable parts. Use simpler language where possible.
- Example: Instead of, “The book, which had been left on the table by the teacher, was quickly picked up by the student,” you could write, “The teacher left the book on the table. The student picked it up quickly.”
Provide cultural context:
- Explain cultural references or provide background information to help learners understand the text.
- Example: Before reading a text about Thanksgiving, explain its history and traditions.
Activate prior knowledge:
- Start with a discussion or activity to connect the text to what students already know.
- Example: Before reading a text about healthy eating, ask students to share their favorite foods and discuss what makes a balanced diet.
Teach reading strategies:
- Equip students with strategies like skimming, scanning, and using context clues to decode meaning.
- Example: Teach students to look for keywords or phrases that signal important information.
Use visual aids:
- Include pictures, diagrams, or charts to support the text and make it more engaging.
- Example: Use a diagram of the solar system to accompany a text about planets.
Chunk the text:
- Break the text into smaller sections with clear headings or questions to guide students.
- Example: Divide a long article into sections and provide a question for each section to focus students’ reading.
Provide glossaries or annotations:
- Add definitions or explanations for difficult words or concepts directly in the text.
- Example: Add footnotes to explain idioms or technical terms.
Encourage collaborative reading:
- Use group activities like pair reading or group discussions to help students support each other.
- Example: Have students read a text in pairs and summarize each paragraph for their partner.
Use graded geaders:
- Choose texts that are appropriate for your students’ reading level. Graded readers are specially designed to match different proficiency levels.
- Example: Use a beginner-level graded reader for A1 students and an intermediate-level one for B1 students.
Real-world examples in the classroom
Pre-teaching vocabulary:
Before reading a news article about climate change, teach words like “emissions,” “renewable,” and “sustainability.”
Simplifying sentences:
Rewrite a complex sentence like, “The man, who had been waiting for hours, finally boarded the bus,” as “The man waited for hours. Then, he boarded the bus.”
Providing cultural context:
Before reading a story set during Christmas, explain the holiday’s significance and traditions.
Using visual aids:
Pair a text about the water cycle with a diagram showing evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Chunking the text:
Divide a long article into sections and provide a guiding question for each, such as “What are the main causes of air pollution?”
Final thoughts
Reading barriers can be frustrating for learners, but with the right strategies, we can make texts more accessible and enjoyable. By pre-teaching vocabulary, simplifying sentences, providing cultural context, and using visual aids, we can help students build confidence and improve their reading skills.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to help students understand the text in front of them—it’s to equip them with the tools they need to tackle any text they encounter in the future. Happy teaching!
To your CELTA journal:
What barriers do your students face when reading, and how do you help them?
Reflect on the barriers your students face when reading, such as vocabulary gaps, lack of background knowledge, or difficulties with comprehension. Write in your CELTA journal about your experiences addressing these challenges. Share specific strategies you have used to support learners and explain how you helped them overcome these difficulties.
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