critically analyse the strength and limitations of any two methods through which reading can be developed as skill among children
Answers
Two approaches which can be adopted to develop reading skills among children are:
Direct approach
In this the child reads the text again and again till he can read it in a fluent manner.
Pros
1. He can read something with which he is familiar.
2. The teacher can set a reachable goal for example 85 words per minute this will serve as an incentive to learn.
3. In order to make it interesting the students can be divided into pairs of readers who respond to each other. They can read in turns and evaluate each other's speed and fluency.
4. There is active participation.
5. The students can learn to read aloud fluently.
Cons
1. Reading the same text may become boring.
2. The student may not learn new words as reading is restricted to a certain piece.
Indirect approach
In this a certain time is allotted for the students to read something every day.
Pros
1. The students can choose their favourite books or magazines and read for a fixed time every day.
2. They can share their reactions to books with their classmates in peer discussion groups. This helps to develop positive attitudes towards reading.
3. It gives the child a chance to discover the pleasure of reading.
Cons
1. All the students may not attain the same level of fluency.
2. There is no scope for reading aloud.
Intensive reading may be followed to improve fundamentals and vocabulary.But sometimes intensive reading may lead to boredom.
Meanings of words can be guessed to promote faster reading.But this also has a limitation.
Children may guess the meaning wrongly and this meaning settles in their memory.They would never realise that the meaning is wrong.