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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
