Reading Strategies for Adolescents/Adults
To support older clients (i.e., adolescents and adults) in their reading skills you may want to suggest:
- Encourage the client to use an online dictionary to aid them to decode and fluently pronounce new or unfamiliar words.
- The Cambridge Dictionary website provides such audio recordings via their dictionary search engine: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/browse/pronunciation/
Pre-reading Strategies for Academic Reading
Encourage the client to use pre-reading strategies when engaging in academic reading:
■ Prior to reading textbook chapters, encourage the client to refer to the end of the chapter to review the study questions and chapter summary
■ Prior to reading, encourage the client to develop a mind map of what they currently know regarding the subject matter. Instruct the client to add to this map throughout their reading. The following website provides information relative to mind-mapping for the purpose of reading comprehension: http://esl.about.com/od/readinglessonplans/fl/Using-a-Mind-Map-for-Reading-Comprehension.htm
■ Encourage the client to review and identify the basic frameworks included in a text (such as cause-effect or problem-solution)
■ Encourage the client to identify specific plans of paragraphs or text organization, such as signal words, main idea sentences, highlighted phrases, and headings and subtitles.
■ Encourage the client to use skimming techniques when appropriate to do so or when reading lengthy material.
Active Approach to Reading
Encourage the client to take on an “active” approach to reading to strengthen their skills. Strategies that take on an active approach include:
■ Taking extra time for reading.
■ Reading out loud when possible.
■ Breaking reading materials into smaller parts and monitoring comprehension.
■ Reviewing new, difficult, or unfamiliar vocabulary before starting to read.
■ Previewing headings and information in bold/italic print before starting to read.
■ Reading for specific pieces of information.
■ Self-monitoring one’s reading to ensure it makes sense.
■ Staying active while reading by taking notes, highlighting and summarizing information
Minimize Distractions
To help minimize distractions while reading, your client may benefit from the following strategies:
■ Encourage your client to use earplugs during activities involving reading and writing.
■ Choose and arrange a work environment so that it reduces the impact of noise or other distractions.
■ Use frequent but timed breaks during activities that require sustained attention to reading.