Name : Tan Chun way

Group : 2
My Reflection for Reading
Reading is essential in our lives. We do reading everyday like reading signs,
maps, SMS and etc. During lesson planning, Reading is the done right after Listening
and Speaking.
I have learnt the principles of teaching reading. Before attending this course, I
always considered reading is to excel in academics or to pass examinations with flying
colours. However, now I have learnt that I should convey to my pupils that reading is for
enjoyment and gain knowledge.
To be honest, before attending this course, I know about the stages of teaching
reading, which is the pre-reading, while-reading and post-reading. But I dont take it
seriously. Now I have learnt about them and it is crucial as it is a scaffolding process for
the pupils to learn reading. For pre-reading, we dont give the whole text yet. I can pre
teach the vocabularies that are used in the text. Also, jazz chants, songs and movies are
suitable for pre-reading as well, to get pupils attention.
Meanwhile, I should focus more on reading skill for the while reading stage.
Reading the whole text continuously should not be conducted first. I will ask pupils to
read the texts paragraph by paragraph. After reading a paragraph, I should ask and
probe pupils understanding. Ask them about the content and ideas of this paragraph.
Make sure the pupils understand the ideas correctly before continuing to another
paragraph. Also, as an educator, I will focus on their reading skills, such as intonation,
pronunciation and suitable pace. For difficult words and vocabularies, I will paraphrase it
with simpler words. I have learnt from other CPs that it is not suitable to use the
explanation from dictionary wholly. Use simpler words for easier understanding.
My lecturer showed a power point about Marlup but I dont understand the story
at all as the words are strange to me. Still we could answer the questions as we find the
similar words. From here I have learnt that even though the pupils could answer the
questions, it doesnt mean they understand the story. Furthermore, I have learnt to use

anaphoric and cataphoric techniques to find the meaning of certain words. I will teach
this skill to my pupils in case they dont understand certain words.
Skimming is a technique to read a passage very fast. Its aim is to get the main
ideas and general overview rapidly. I can teach this method to my pupils and use it as
the first step of reading. Then, reread the passage again to further our understanding.
However, I find it difficult for weak pupils as they may not understand most of the words
as well. This technique is not suitable for remedial pupils.
Scanning is a technique to locate a specific word or fact. This is crucial for us to
answer comprehension questions. Even though the pupils do not understand the text,
they still can answer the questions through scanning, exactly like the Marlup story.
For the while-reading stage, I have learnt that predicting is a great way to teach
reading. I will not give the ending of the story and ask my pupils to predict the endings.
This can promote higher order thinking skills among the pupils.
The last stage of reading is post reading. This is the stage where we consolidate
and further pupils understanding. I can assess my pupils through comprehension
questions, running dictation, sequencing, retell and others. In my class, I can ask my
pupils to do scrapbooks and running dictation. I like running dictation very much as it
involves reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
As conclusion, reading skill prepares the pupils to advance to the next stage
which is writing skill. If the pupils can read well, it is not a problem for them to learn
writing.