Many teachers are convinced of the importance of reading in learning a language. Specifically they believe that a student can master words and grammar (and gain a rapidly more sophisticated "sense" of the language) through reading texts that are written at a level that the student can understand. Indeed, in order to ensure that students don't get demotivated by having to "slog through" texts, teachers often recommend graded readers that are apparently "below" the students English level. Students can thus gain a "reading fluency" that can prove extremely valuable and means that they can progress through level without the slog.
Another factor in suggesting readers for students is their intrinsic interest. In the old days, companies would make use of out-of-copyright materials on which to base their readers (hence the Frankensteins and Draculas and works of Dickens that would often be a staple of reader libraries). These days, publishers look at more modern texts to motivate students to read (and schools to buy!). Most recently Scholastic has released a series of graded readers based on movies and hit TV series - from Spiderman and Indiana Jones to Lost and Mr Bean.
So what do you think? Are readers a vital part of language learning? Is the current trend towards popular subjects a good one?
Another factor in suggesting readers for students is their intrinsic interest. In the old days, companies would make use of out-of-copyright materials on which to base their readers (hence the Frankensteins and Draculas and works of Dickens that would often be a staple of reader libraries). These days, publishers look at more modern texts to motivate students to read (and schools to buy!). Most recently Scholastic has released a series of graded readers based on movies and hit TV series - from Spiderman and Indiana Jones to Lost and Mr Bean.
So what do you think? Are readers a vital part of language learning? Is the current trend towards popular subjects a good one?
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