Comprehension
Reading comprehension is more difficult for ELLs than for native speakers for various reasons. Three of the most important reasons are discussed here:
-ELLs are more likely than native speakers to lack the background knowledge necessary for
ELLs are more likely than native speakers to lack the background knowledge necessary for
understanding texts. ELLs' prior educational experiences may have been substandard or
interrupted, so reading texts that assume certain prior knowledge becomes difficult. Even for
students with good educational backgrounds, cultural differences and culturally based
assumptions can result in a lack of background knowledge and thus loss of comprehension.
Whatever the reasons for a lack of necessary background knowledge, before asking ELLs to read
a particular text, teachers must identify information that is prerequisite for understanding the
text, evaluate students' prior knowledge of these prerequisites, and fill any gaps that are found.
The best kinds of activities for building background knowledge are those that get students
involved in manipulating language and concepts, rather than just receiving information from the
teacher. These include experiential activities such as science experiments, classification activities,
role playing, previewing a reading and generating questions about it, and sharing predictions
about the answers to those questions.
-The language level of the text to be read, compared with ELLs' language proficiency, is a major
factor in how much they will understand of the text. Even advanced ELLs and those who have
been redesignated as fluent in English will experience difficulty with unusual vocabulary,
figurative language, very complex sentence structures, or unfamiliar styles and genres (just as
many native speakers of English do). For this reason, the integration of intensive language
development with reading instruction is highly recommended for ELLs at all levels of language
proficiency.
-Reading comprehension instruction for ELLs needs to be modified to address their needs. Asking
ELLs to read the same texts and do the same activities as everybody else will only result in
frustration for teachers and failure for students. This is not a matter of "dumbing down" the
curriculum or applying different standards. It is a matter of implementing the curriculum at a
language level that makes it accessible to ELLs, while at the same time working to develop their
oral language so they will be able to comprehend texts at higher levels. Here are some general
principles for modifying reading instruction for ELLs:
-Provide as much nonverbal support for reading comprehension as possible, including pictures,diagrams, real objects, gestures, acting, and graphic organizers. The support can be used both for helping students understand a reading passage and for assessment, so students can show what they have understood in ways that are not entirely dependent on verbal ability.
-Explicitly teach comprehension strategies, such as reader-generated questions, summarizing, and monitoring comprehension. Remember, however, that teaching strategies is not enough; students must practice them with texts that are accessible at their level of language proficiency. If students don't experience successful application of the strategies, they won't even try to use them with other texts.
-Plan interactive activities around reading and interpreting texts. Sharing ideas, comparing perspectives, and coming to agreement (or agreeing to disagree) are all ways that students use the language of the text in meaningful ways, and thus progress to higher levels of language proficiency and reading comprehension.