READING COMPREHENSION AND ITS STRATEGIES

ANTONIA J. CANLAS

To thoroughly comprehend the sign read is the aim of reading. The main objective of reading is comprehension, which is deriving the text's meaning. Reading comprehension abilities may be developed by practice and observation of others. The processes of understanding are strategic and interactive. According to Tierney (1982), in order to read with understanding, one must become proficient and get specific instruction in reading styles. There are different strategies in reading comprehension. This will allow learners to comprehend texts and decode their underlying meaning of it. To learn the comprehension strategies, modeling, practice, and feedback are the key. One of the strategies is using prior knowledge. When the learner previews the text, he is using backup knowledge of something. This serves as the framework of the information read. They tap into what they already know and connect it to the situation of the text reading. The next strategy is predicting. Students make predictions of the text most especially to the story. As they gain more information about the story, they ten do guess what will happen next. The other reading strategy is identifying the main idea of the text. This requires the implicit process to understand the writers’ purpose of the text. The core notion is recognized, summarized, and information is provided about it by the reader. One of the reading comprehension tactics is asking questions. When a student poses a question concerning the text, whether it be literally or metaphorically, the other students come up with a response. Additionally, visualization is used. This makes it easier for readers to benefit from text-integrated pictures that help them form an image in their minds. The types of reading comprehension strategies depend on the learner’s style of reading and acquiring. Some students use multiple strategies in reading comprehension. Learners nowadays should learn the different types of reading comprehension strategies in order to cope up with the changing situation around them.

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The author is Master Teacher I at City of San Fernando West Integrated School