A reader’s background knowledge can influence reading comprehension
(Carrell, 1983, Carrell and Connor, 1991). Background knowledge includes
all of the experiences that a reader brings to a text: life experiences, educational
experiences, knowledge of how texts can be organized rhetorically,
knowledge of how one’s first language works, knowledge of how the second
language works, and cultural background and knowledge. Reading comprehension
can be significantly enhanced if background knowledge can be
activated by setting goals, asking questions, making predictions, teaching text
structure, and so on. If students are reading on an unfamiliar topic, you may
need to begin the reading process by building up background knowledge.
An interesting concept to consider related to the role of background knowledge
is the negative influence it may have. Incorrect background knowledge can
hinder comprehension. For example, some readers may have misconceptions
about how AIDS is contracted. Some may believe that you can get AIDS by
kissing or swimming in a pool. These misconceptions may interfere with a reading
passage on AIDS, and you may have to correct the background knowledge
through a prereading activity before reading comprehension can be achieved.