Silent Reading Technique

Reading is usually done silently. In order to help your learner to become an independent reader, you may help him make the transition from oral reading, where you are active in assisting in word recognition and comprehension, to reading silently.

This procedure will help the learner to read silently for comprehension.

·         The learner selects what he would like to read.

·         Discuss the general content of the material and what the learner thinks it will be about (predicting).

·         Ask questions that you think the material will answer. This will give a focus and a reason for reading the material. It helps to keep the mind from wandering while reading is in progress.

·         Tell the learner to read silently and to point to any word that he does not know or cannot figure out by himself. You provide the word immediately. (Note it for later teaching. Do not take the time to interrupt the flow and teach the word at this point.)

·         Discuss the material. Did it say what the learner thought it was going to say? Did the learner have good comprehension? Is his interpretation of the material the same as yours? Did the learner learn anything new? Was there anything in the material that surprised him?

·         Read the material again either silently or orally for fluency and increased comprehension and confidence.

Red Deer Adult Literacy Program tutor handbook. (n.d.). Red Deer, Alberta: Red Deer Public Library. Used with permission.