READING AND ITS ESSENCE
ALICIA L DELOS REYES
Reading with comprehension is believed to be an essential key to learning. It is a process influential in the acquisition of information and skills. For most experts, Reading will help learners read and understand written text, but more than that, it should be considered as a way of life, since, it is needed in daily life situations. As daily, we encounter written text on sign boards, signages, product labels and other media and reading with understanding must be applied to interpret their messages correctly. If this is the concept of how important having competence in reading is, it must really be given focus in one’s education in school and at home.
For years, public and private schools have addressed this emergent concern. Educational institutions have continue to innovate and implement programs in the forms of enhancement, enrichment and remediation programs for the purpose of continuously improving the reading proficiency of every learner. With the DepEd battle cry that “no child is left behind” and its program “ECARP” or Every Child a Reader Program”, the Department of Education (DepEd) advocacy for Reading is clearly evident. As emphasized, it is truly a must that every child in school must end up a reader with comprehension to be able to understand and acquire information, concepts which will eventually lead to skill and competence acquisition and demonstration.
When one talks of reading competence, what does it actually pertain to? When could someone claim that he or she has average to high competence in Reading comprehension? Reading competence actually pertains to the ability to recognize words fluently and interpret their messages and meanings. Hence, all teachers, most especially communication art teachers/Reading teachers must focus in developing aforestated skills to achieve high level of competence in comprehension. Through the use of oral reading drills/exercises and silent reading drills, learners will be able to increase level of reading fluency, which will in turn be used as a tool in unlocking concepts in Science, Math and other learning areas. Mathematical problems, Science procedures, processes and concepts will be better understood with good reading competence. Signages, along streets/establishments, together with product labels would be correctly interpreted through its application. With such effects of high competence in Reading, the school, home and government must collaborate to provide quality learning opportunities for all types of students so they would reach their highest potential in Reading for better, enjoyable and safer lives.
In conclusion, Reading competence, just like other intellectual competence, is indeed an essential key in the acquisition of various learning that every learner must acquire, practice and enjoy.
The author is Master Teacher
— oOo—
I at San Pablo Integrated School