Assig (see instructions) - Essay Example

The Connection between Development of Oral Language and Reading Ability There is a great connection between the developments of oral language and reading ability. When one carries out improving his/her reading ability, this development is congruent and aligned, making both realms within the same plane. I personally believe that there is an essential foundation for the development of reading and writing abilities, particularly on the aspect of how language conveys meaning and its cultural and conventional content, as well as strong oral language capabilities that include vocabulary and concept development, and desire to use speech for a variety of purposes.

I would say that these capabilities are dependent upon breadth and depth of life experiences and how frequently a person uses his oral language ability in expressing his ideas, insights, needs, and feelings. As there is an inter-linkage between oral language acquisition and reading ability, it would hence be easier for a learner to learn reading and appreciate it. The appreciation would come with the cultural aspect of reading. This being said, the development of reading ability must hence be coupled with oral language usage in order to speedy the progress of reading.

Selected Stage: Reading to Learn/ For Pleasure Stage This is the stage I select for this paper, which I will describe alongside the inclusion of a list of ten books that I would use on children in this stage. The reading to learn/for pleasure stage is a stage where the learner has already established the fundamental stages and basis of reading such as vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction, and the like. The teacher will hence have no difficulty enabling the learner read. The level of reading at this stage is no longer for comprehension, familiarization of words, sounds, or vocabulary, but is rather one that stimulates the learner’s interest to learn more things through reading and appreciate a reading material such as a novel, a short story, a poem, etc.

In this stage, the learner tends to be independent of the teacher/mentor when he/she is reading, can be very absorbed to the material, and may ask a few questions he/she does not understand or may consult the dictionary/thesaurus for new words. The learner doe not need pictures in the text to describe certain concepts depicted in the material. Instead, they can already picture in their mind what is being talked about. In this stage, the learner appreciates learning about a certain place, event, situation, or idea, which can trigger their imagination.

Suitable books for learners in this stage are the following:1. World History 2. The Trojan War by Homer3. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling4. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho5. Macbeth by William Shakespeare6. Flowers for Algernon by Danielle Keyes7. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain8. Reflecting on Miss Marple by Marion Shaw9. Literature and Western Man by J.B. Priestly10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExuperyHelpful Activity for the Development of Oral Fluency An activity that can be used to help a struggling reader develop oral fluency is through discussion questions participated in by a group of learners and the teacher.

The teacher asks a question to the group, which the participants answer. The participants themselves can also ask certain questions of their own interest. The questions can vary from favorites to hobbies, family members, plans for college etc. and are communicative and conversational. The advantage of this activity is that everyone in the group will be encouraged to speak, especially if the moderator points them to answer the question. This is also a good practice in order for learners to develop their oral fluency.

The disadvantage, on the other hand, is that better learning learners would tend to share more and those really struggling might be left in the sidelines. Thus, the teacher must be keen to notice signs like this. ReferencesESL: English as a Second Language. Retrieved on September 7, 2008 from http://www.eslgo.com/resources/sa.html