|6| The Language Learning Processes
<< BACKReading
As our schools and society at large emphasize it so much, reading is a very important basic skill. This is fine for the visual learner, but for auditory and kinaesthetic learners it is often a handicapping problem.
Texts should, as often as it is possible, be chosen on an individual basis. Learners should always ask themselves why a text is chosen. What is the purpose? What will I learn?
Textbook writers usually try to build in a progression so that more difficult texts follow on easier ones, taking into consideration grammar and vocabulary. Contents is often neglected. In our view a database with texts is a better option than a textbook.
Texts should cover as many different areas as possible, fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, instructions, letters, public documents, etc.
Before you start reading a text you ought to be aware of the aim. Why am I reading this text? To learn words? To learn grammar? To find certain information? To grasp an idea? How am I supposed to report?
There are different reading methods like skim reading, reading for gist, etc. Reading techniques is a good topic to bring up in class, isn't it?
