Learning is a continuous process. In order to learn, one must read. Thus, it is highly significant to understand the fundamentals of reading. With the passage of time and advances in research, reading has evolved as a science.
The science of reading encompasses the findings of experts from diversified fields, including education, psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience. It paves the way for what the students need to learn and how they need to learn it.
The foundational areas of literacy instruction include phonemic, like the skill to emphasise and control sounds in spoken word, awareness, phonics, like teaching ways to read and write an alphabetic language, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Each of these components plays a crucial role in increasing literacy skills of students.
To deliver instructions on the subject of reading science, the multifaceted, structured literacy approach is employed worldwide. One aspect of this approach is explicit teaching which is teacher-centric. The teacher is in continuous interaction with the students. The idea underlined is that the concept taught is something other than what students naturally pick up.
Another component of a structured literacy approach is a systematic curriculum that ensures the logical order of lessons concerning language. To remain focussed on diagnosis with ongoing assessment is also crucial. The assessments can be formal and informal, but should ultimately monitor students’ growth. The diagnostic aspect is essential because it allows teachers to see where their students are struggling, and to help them adjust instruction modes and methods.
The educators need to be well aware and open-minded about the science of reading. In Pakistan, the necessary homework on the science of reading must be completed. The efficacy of explicit training in various aspects of reading science shall be evident.
To do so, it should be an integrated part of the curriculum from the initial to the most advanced level, irrespective of the discipline of studies. The necessary professional development may enable teachers to use the most effective strategies in this regard. Institutions involved in research in education especially should recommend changes, and serve as significant resource centres. Support at the governmental level is indeed crucial.
With the help of the science of reading, the best approach for reading may get some clarity.
The teachers and administrators working as a team can incorporate the best strate-gies for their students to become strong readers, lifelong learners and leaders.
DR INTIKHAB ULFAT
KARACHI
