Exploring the use of prediction and summarization to increase students' listening and reading comprehension /

This study examined the effect of expHcitly instructing students to use a repertoire of reading comprehension strategies. Specifically, this study examined whether providing students with a "predictive story-frame" which combined the use of prediction and summarization strategies improved their reading comprehension relative to providing students with generic instruction on prediction and summarization. Results were examined in terms of instructional condition and reading ability. Students from 2 grade 4 classes participated in this study. The reading component of the Canadian Achievement Tests, Second Edition (CAT/2) was used to identify students as either "average or above average" or "below average" readers. Students received either strategic predication and summarization instruction (story-frame) or generic prediction and summarization instruction (notepad). Students were provided with new but comparable stories for each session. For both groups, the researcher modelled the strategic tools and provided guided practice, independent practice, and independent reading sessions. Comprehension was measured with an immediate and 1-week delayed comprehension test for each of the 4 stories, hi addition, students participated in a 1- week delayed interview, where they were asked to retell the story and to answer questions about the central elements (character, setting, problem, solution, beginning, middle, and ending events) of each story. There were significant differences, with medium to large effect sizes, in comprehension and recall scores as a fimction of both instructional condition and reading ability. Students in the story-frame condition outperformed students in the notepad condition, and average to above average readers performed better than below average readers. Students in the story-frame condition outperformed students in the notepad condition on the comprehension tests and on the oral retellings when teacher modelling and guidance were present. In the cued recall sessions, students in the story-frame instructional condition recalled more correct information and generated fewer errors than students in the notepad condition. Average to above average readers performed better than below average readers across comprehension and retelling measures. The majority of students in both instructional conditions reported that they would use their strategic tool again.

Designing Year 12 strategy training in listening and writing: from theory to practice

This article outlines some of the key issues involved in developing a programme of strategy training for learners of French, in listening and in writing. It highlights the theoretical perspectives and research findings on listening and writing that informed the selection of strategies to teach learners and thence the development of appropriate materials. Examples of these materials are given as well as advice regarding their use. The article concludes with suggestions for how strategy training might be incorporated into teachers' own work with learners.

Musical Listening and Kinesthesis : Is There an Audio-Vocal Tuning System?

Peer reviewed

The speaker : or Miscellaneous pieces, selected from the best English writers, and disposed under proper heads, with a view to facilitate the improvement of youth in reading and speaking, to which are prefixed two essays: I. On elocution. II. On reading works of taste /

Mode of access: Internet.

New science of elocution. The elements and principles of vocal expression in lessons, with exercises and selections systematically arranged for acquiring the art of reading and speaking.

A revised edition of the author's Science of elocution. cf. Pref.

The speaker : or Miscellaneous pieces, selected from the best English writers, and disposed under proper heads, with a view to facilitate the improvement of youth in reading and speaking, to which are prefixed two essays: I. On elocution. II. On reading works of taste /

Mode of access: Internet.

Analysis of the principles of rhetorical delivery as applied in reading and speaking.

Mode of access: Internet.

The art of reading : containing a number of useful rules exemplified by a variety of selected and original pieces, narrative, didactic, argumentative, poetical, descriptive, pathetic, humourous, and entertaining, together with dialogues, speeches, orations, addresses, and harangues : calculated to improve the scholar in reading and speaking with propriety and elegance, and to impress the minds of youth with sentiments of virtue and religion : designed for the use of schools and families /

Mode of access: Internet.