Video transcript
Interview
Karen Dooley
Queensland University of Technology
Reading comprehension is a complex process that involves vocabulary, meaning-making strategies and decoding. At kindergarten, children can build their vocabulary and their meaningmaking strategies while they're still learning basic decoding skills. For students who are learning in English as an additional language, it’s crucial to find ways to enable them to participate in the rich oral discussions where meaning-making is going on and where vocabulary is being developed.
Teaching scenario
[The teacher and child are looking at a book together.]
Child
This one.
Teacher
He’s walking up the hill. And what are they doing? They’re walking…
Child
Down
Teacher
Down the hill. Can you count how many there are?
Together
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...
Teacher
And what are they called? What do they look like?
Child
Soldiers
Teacher
Yeah, well done.
Interview
Karen Dooley
For most children, becoming aware of the features of written language requires more than simple immersion in a print-rich environment; it requires intentional teaching. For children who are becoming literate in English as an additional language, it is important also to use intentional teaching to draw attention to similarities and differences between English and the other language they are learning to read and write.
Teaching scenario
[The teacher is demonstrating to the child how to write her name. The teacher is encouraging the child as she forms letters on a page.]
Teacher
Good girl, keep going! Up and around. Good, and this one…and this one…Yes!
Interview
Karen Dooley
Phonological awareness, including knowledge of syllables, rhyme and individual sounds is linked to reading skills. At the kindergarten level for all children, including children who use English as an additional language, it's important to find engaging language that's meaningful, and fun activities that enable children to build these abstract skills.
Teaching scenario
[The teacher is leading the children through a song that includes actions and counting].
What are they now?
Children
Chicks!
- Last updated:
- 31 July 2024
