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Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?

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Published in Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities

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Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities

by Colum McCann

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12511 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	222 pages

Reading is a complex skill that requires a number of different cognitive abilities, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

For native English speakers, these skills develop naturally through exposure to the language. However, English learners may not have the same level of exposure to the language, and this can make it difficult for them to develop the skills they need to read fluently.

Challenges that English learners face when reading

There are a number of challenges that English learners may face when reading, including:

Lack of phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and identify the individual sounds in words. This skill is essential for learning to read, as it allows learners to decode words by sounding them out.
Difficulty with phonics. Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds. English learners may have difficulty with phonics because they may not be familiar with the English alphabet or the way that letters are pronounced.
Limited fluency. Fluency is the ability to read quickly and smoothly. English learners may lack fluency because they are not yet familiar with the language or because they have difficulty decoding words.
Limited vocabulary. Vocabulary is the number of words that a person knows. English learners may have a limited vocabulary because they have not had enough exposure to the language.
Difficulty with comprehension. Comprehension is the ability to understand what one reads. English learners may have difficulty with comprehension because they may not be familiar with the cultural context of the text or because they have difficulty understanding the grammar.

Tips for helping English learners overcome challenges with reading

There are a number of things that can be done to help English learners overcome the challenges they face when reading, including:

Provide phonemic awareness activities. Phonemic awareness activities can help English learners to hear and identify the individual sounds in words. These activities can include things like rhyming games, clapping out syllables, and playing with magnetic letters.
Teach phonics explicitly. Explicit phonics instruction can help English learners to learn the relationship between letters and sounds. This instruction can be provided through phonics lessons, games, and activities.
Build fluency. Fluency can be built through repeated reading. Encourage English learners to read aloud to themselves or to a partner. They can also listen to audiobooks or read along with recorded texts.
Expand vocabulary. Vocabulary can be expanded through reading, listening to spoken English, and playing word games. Provide English learners with opportunities to interact with native English speakers.
Improve comprehension. Comprehension can be improved by reading widely and by asking students questions about what they read. Provide English learners with scaffolding during reading, such as graphic organizers or summaries.

Reading is an essential skill for English learners. By providing them with the support they need, we can help them to overcome the challenges they face and become successful readers.

Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?: Distinguishing Language Acquisition From Learning Disabilities

by Colum McCann

4.7 out of 5