ESL writers reading aloud K**** ****- Jul 24, 2013 6:49 PM Mark Unread [Reply] More actions...

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Sentence fluency for my classes tends to mean comprehension. Can we read it and understand it the first time. Asking them to write with a poetic or smooth flow would be like asking for the moon, I sometimes feel. I do like the idea that Spandel (p. 211) encourages us to have readers read their writing aloud as a strategy to have them connect with the rhythm and flow of it. I frequently try to have my students read aloud to the class, but only ever seem to get the same volunteers as most of the others, being fairly new to sharing their ideas aloud or lacking confidence in their writing, will not offer to join in and sit there like knots on a log. Wanting to keep the classroom a low stress environment, I wont force them to read in hopes that they will raise their hands when they are ready. Other times, I may ask if I can read the paper aloud for them. That sometimes does the trick. Although, I may try is have hesitant student select another student to read it for them. With non-native speakers, I sometimes, but not always, run into the challenge of students with very hard to understand accents. After one of these students reads, I can see much of the class scratching their heads trying to make sense of what they just heard. This is where I have to tap dance and do my best to paraphrase and highlight some positive aspect of the piece that I could pick out. Having students read in small groups or even with just a single partner often works out better for my students. They can feel much more comfortable and it helps build confidence in their writing. I usually have them do this after their first draft when they are sharing their ideas for the first time. We generally read to share the piece and think about content, not the rhythm and flow of the sentences. With students not accustomed to writing a great deal, Im like the teacher that was mentioned asking, How do I get my students to write something clearly, much less something that flows or sounds poetic? Another thing I believe I try is having them read aloud at other stages of their writing, not just the first draft that may lack the necessary elements important to being listened to. That way I can begin to introduce this topic of sentence fluency to my ESL writers. K****

My response: reading aloud can be scary Rebecca Esterby - Jul 25, 2013 9:27 PM Mark Unread [Reply]

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K****, I frequently try to have my students read aloud to the class, but only ever seem to get the same volunteers as most of the others, being fairly new to sharing their ideas aloud or lacking confidence in their writing, will not offer to join in and sit there like knots on a log. This made me think back to my experience as a young student. No one had me read my work out loud. Perhaps that is part of the reason I lack confidence in my writing even now. I appreciate that you are respectful of differences in personality and letting them hang back if they are insecure or shy early in the class. It can be extremely anxiety provoking for some. Do you make reading their work a requirement later in the course? Could reading our own writing out loud be a little like riding a bike? Or learning to water ski? Once you do it once, it is easier the next time. Do you think there might be some merit in making reading their writing aloud a requirement? Becky in River Falls, WI

Response from a classmate: Re: reading aloud can be scary S**** *****- Jul 26, 2013 12:40 PM Mark Unread [Reply] More actions...

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What I find helpful is having the students read their work in pairs first. It's not so scary to read it to one other person. I usually have them listen to/read the draft at least twice: 1st just to enjoy it and get the big picture and the 2nd time to listen for a specific thing, perhaps something that we've been working on. Also, I have the reader listen to himself read it that first time to see if what he wrote was what he had wanted to write.

At the beginning of the year, when the students are still kind of unsure of this, I give them something fairly objective to listen for so the reader can feel a little safer. Like I might have them count the number of adjectives they hear. Or it might be subjective, but positive. For example, I might have them listen for and later tell the reader the phrase that stands out the most or paints the most clear picture in their head. At this point, from the positive feedback from their partner, students might have gathered the courage to volunteer to read it outloud to the class. All this reading out loud takes time, but seems to help the students begin to look at their writing a little more critically. And for those whose reading isn't strong, gives them lots of opportunity for practice! After the class is used to giving positive feedback mostly and giving bits of constructive feedback and receiving bits of constructive feedback from a partner, I might make it a group of 3 or 4. I also will sometimes, before handing the papers back, read parts of the student writing that really stood out for me (these papers are also carefully and strategically chosen so that those who need the reinforcement get it - if warranted ). I won't use names, but those students whose paper I read get that positive feeling and can become more confident in their writing. Remember, I'm working with grade school and middle school students! But positive feedback and encouragement goes a long way in everyone. It's just that the older the student, the more negative experiences they have to overcome so the more positive they need to experience. S**** - Eagle, WI

Response from original poster: Re: reading aloud can be scary K**** **** - Jul 26, 2013 3:54 PM Mark Unread [Reply] More actions...

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S****, I'm with you on the pairs first method. On the first day of class, I pair them with a partner and have them interview each other so that they can write a brief biography of that person. When they next meet, they sit down to share and read aloud. Sometimes the details are wrong, but it allows them to get used to offering and receiving revision help. Plus it's a fun way for them to get to know another classmate.

K****

My response: Re: reading aloud can be scary Rebecca Esterby - Jul 27, 2013 9:08 PM Mark Unread [Reply] More actions...

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S****, Thank you for sharing your method for working into reading their writing aloud. I usually have them listen to/read the draft at least twice: 1st just to enjoy it and get the big picture and the 2nd time to listen for a specific thing, perhaps something that we've been working on. I can see that a student in your class would enjoy reading their work aloud. Youve started them out making it so comfortable. positive feedback and encouragement goes a long way in everyone. This is so true as well. And positive feedback in writing goes the distance. Becky in River Falls, WI

Re: reading aloud can be scary K**** **** - Jul 26, 2013 3:45 PM Mark Unread [Reply] More actions...

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Becky, Excellent questions! I do think there is a lot of merit to having them read aloud. Frequently, they can hear when something is amiss in their writing because they have pretty good interpersonal communication skills (meaning they can speak English well enough), but their writing skills are not as strong. I do have times when I ask them to read aloud, but I am now planning to increase

that time and make it more a regular part of what we do. I am hopeful it will improve their attention to sentence fluency, word choice and several other areas. K****@St. Louis