Disal june 14

Reading in order to liveThe power of extensive reading

for language learning

Disal AuditoriumJune 14, 2013

Higor Cavalcante

Tell a partner:

- What you’re reading at the moment

- What it’s about

- What’s next on your list

Extensive Reading

The more leisurely reading of longer texts, primarily for pleasure, or in order to accumulate vocabulary, or simply to develop sound habits of reading.

Extensive Reading“Not all students become active readers.

While some are highly motivated and consume books avidly, others don’t have

the same appetite. We can’t force students to read, of course, but we should do

everything we can to encourage them to do so.”

Jeremy Harmer, in How to Teach English, (p. 110)

By the end of this talk, we’ll have discussed…

…the habit (or lack thereof) of a reading culture/habit in Brazil

…how books get chosen with a view to creating the reading habit in learners

…an extensive reading program for language development

…activities (with examples) which can be used in the program

A very important belief

No activity is as complete for language learning than vast, varied reading.

collocations: “…a succession of ludicrously trivial and…”(adv-adj)

phrasal verbs: “…begged the kids to please get off my legs now,…”

idioms: “…caught her eye…”semantic precision: “I clumped around the house

like a man in magnetic boots…”(fixed) expressions: “Just in case, you know, I

suffered transitory histerical blindness…”Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About, Mill Millington,

p 1.

Situation in Brazil1,8 books per year => 4, 7 books per year

(2010 – Ministry of Education and Culture)

4 books per year / 2,1 finished(2012 – Ibope)

People don’t read for fun; reading is boring.

Benefits of Extensive Reading- Develops learner autonomy and curiosity- Offers comprehensible input (readers)- Enhances general language competence- Helps develop general, world knowledge- Extends, consolidates and sustains

vocabulary growth- Helps to improve writing- Creates and sustains motivation to read

more

Why don’t teachers do it?

- Insufficient time- Too costly- Reading materials not available- ER not linked to syllabus/examination- Lack of understanding of its benefits- Conformity to sillabi/text books- Teachers themselves don’t read

How do you say in English?

- Gás lacrimogêneo?- Balas de borracha?- Coquetel molotov?- …está bem abaixo da inflação?- Manifestantes quebraram vitrines- O preço do ônibus aumentou.

How do you say in English?

Today, on BBC online

Today, on NYT online

The ""Book-a-month Project (B2-C2)

Students read 3 to 4 books per term / 6 to 8 yearly

Do weekly activities related to books – not tests!

Criteria for picking books:• Interesting• Choice• Modern

Books used

Room, Emma Donoghue(NYT #1 Bestseller)

Drama

Books used

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn(NYT #1 Bestseller)

Thriller

Books used

Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks(NYT #1 Bestseller)

"Chick-lit”

Books used

Voting via Facebook

Vocabulary search

Vocabulary search

Vocabulary search

Quotes

Quotes

Top 5’s

Other possibilities

- Book clubs- Review writing- Book discussions- Book fair- Book secret santa

- Read in front of your students!

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”.“Reading is a discount ticket to anywhere”.“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a

culture. Just get people to stop reading them”. “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable

that’s spelled out is a spark”.“Read in order to live”. – G. Glaubert

How to Teach English, Jeremy HarmerFrom Reader to Reading Teacher, Aebersold,

J.A.; Field, M.L.www.teachingenglish.org.uk

www.bbc.co.ukwww.nytimes.com

Bibliography

higor@higorcavalcante.comwww.higorcavalcante.com

teacherhigor (Skype and Twitter)

Thank you!