Triangle defense

DESIREE D. FRANCISCO

SOME educational programs come and go in institutions but that is not the case for the program in reading as the results of the PHIL IRI in the elementary level show that many of the incoming Grade 7 students are reading within the frustration level. This means that these elementary graduates can hardly decode symbols or in more simple terms, these learners cannot read well.

This may be a heartbreaking reality especially for the English teachers since they are the ones responsible for the development of the child’s reading skills which are very essential in the acquisition of learning. But how do we expect them to learn in this situation? These struggling readers are not hopeless for they can still be saved by the triangle defense of the three subject areas: English, Math and Sci en ce.

The remedial reading program is nothing new for it has been a part of school programs that provide special attention to students having reading difficulties. Though proven to be effective in improving the reading skills of some, many of them still need extra special intervention so they can be saved from the limbo of illiteracy.

This is when the triangle defense is needed.

Aside from the English department, Science teachers can also give reinforcement by designing reading activities in class such as oral reading of texts, highlighting pronunciation, phrasing and comprehension with the guidance of the teacher. Vocabulary development can also be done before text reading.

What the Science teachers can do can also be done by the Math teachers when they ask students to read word problems or texts. Again, they may unlock difficult words first before reading, then focus on the pronunciation, phrasing and comprehension.

The collaboration of the three subject areas that use English as the medium of instruction will immerse the struggling readers more into reading. In consequence, this exposure may lead to unexpected heights of success in the fight against illiteracy.

The author is Teacher III at San Luis National High School