Reading is a multifaceted cognitive process that involves decoding symbols to derive meaning and is essential for language acquisition, communication, and learning.

Key Insights

• Reading Aloud:
  • Reading aloud is a traditional yet effective teaching strategy that enhances vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension, listening, reading, speaking, communicative skills, motivation, literacy, and critical thinking in young children, especially in EFL contexts
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• Reading Strategies:
  • Effective reading comprehension requires a variety of strategies, including logical knowledge, formal construction, cultural knowledge, and prior conceptual knowledge, which help EFL learners understand English reading materials better
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• Reading Comprehension:
  • The concept of reading comprehension is complex and lacks a universally accepted definition, but it generally involves understanding and interpreting text through various cognitive processes
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• Reading Engagement:
  • Motivation and engagement are crucial for literacy development, but the construct of reading engagement is often ambiguous. Research suggests that both behavioral dimensions and aptitude play roles in reading engagement
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• Instructional Strategies:
  • Teachers' use of reading comprehension strategies significantly impacts students' reading proficiency. However, there is often a gap in teachers' ability to effectively teach these strategies
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• Skimming and Scanning:
  • Skimming and scanning are effective strategies for improving reading comprehension, as evidenced by significant improvements in students' performance after targeted instruction in these techniques
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Conclusion

Reading is a complex process that involves various cognitive and instructional strategies to enhance comprehension and engagement. Effective teaching methods, such as reading aloud and specific comprehension strategies, play a crucial role in developing proficient readers, especially in EFL contexts.