Reading is a goal-seeking activity, with the goal being to understand what is being read, that is to comprehend what one is reading. Learning to read is one of the greatest accomplishments of childhood, although it is not easy for all children. As teachers we have a responsibility to engage, motivate and support our students in learning to read and in doing so reading to learn.
What is reading?
Reading has been defined as the process whereby meaning is constructed from print and other symbols (Hill, 2012). It involves combining what the reader knows about the world, the topic of the text, the grammatical structure of the written language used and the way spoken language relates to the letters, words, visual elements and symbols on the page (Winch & Holliday, 2010). What makes a good reader? Research suggests that proficient readers are capable of acquiring new knowledge and understanding new concepts, can apply textual information appropriately, engage in the reading process and take the time to reflect upon what is being read (Snow, 2002). Good or rather proficient readers take comprehension for granted as they read, constructing meaning from the written symbols on the page. |
What is reading comprehension?
Reading comprehension has been defined by researchers as the act of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning from text through the interaction and involvement with written language (Hill, 2012; Snow, 2002). It is achieved by combining prior knowledge and pervious experiences, along with information in the text and 'the stance the reader takes in relationship to the text' (Pardo, 2004, p.272). |
Why is reading comprehension important?
Reading comprehension is important as it is an essential skill for children in school settings and beyond, as 'a broad range of tasks require children to comprehend written text, particularly as children progress in school and are expected to learn more independently' (Eason, Goldberg, Young, Geist & Cutting, 2012, p.515). It is through reading comprehension that children develop knowledge and understanding about the texts they are reading and the content of those texts. |