I firmly believe that language is the key to comprehension. When we encourage our students to engage in meaningful discussions and storytelling, it lays a strong foundation for comprehension skills.

I love organizing group activities where my students discuss their favorite books, retell stories in their own words, or create their narratives. These interactions improve their listening and speaking abilities while boosting their grasp of the content.

Example 1: Storytelling Circles (Telephone anyone?)
One of my go-to activities is the “Storytelling Circle.” I have students sit in a circle, and each takes turns adding a sentence to create a unique story together. This process enhances their listening skills as they must build upon what their peers have said. Not only does this activity foster cooperation, but it also reinforces their understanding of narrative structures. It also adds a dash of crazy creative energy like a game of Telephone 📞

Example 2: Reading Aloud and Role Play
Reading aloud is another powerful tool. I assign different characters to students, and they act out the story as we read together. This approach sparks their imagination and encourages them to immerse themselves in the text. The discussions that follow lead to a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and messages.

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The Write Path: How Writing Boosts Oral Language Development

Writing and oral language development go hand in hand. As my students become more comfortable expressing their thoughts in writing, I’ve observed a notable improvement in their speaking skills as well. Writing allows them to organize their ideas, expand their vocabulary, and articulate their feelings more effectively.

As their writing skills improve their thinking process, this in turn helps them better express their thoughts orally. Oral expression and language improves their language comprehension in many ways:

1. Vocabulary: The Key to Comprehension
In my ESL class, I’ve seen how a rich vocabulary is vital for understanding both spoken and written texts. Recent research confirms that a strong vocabulary predicts reading comprehension (Pierce et al., 2013). So, students need diversity in their “bank vault” of words to broaden their linguistic horizons.

2. Boosting Critical Thinking
Teaching students how to think critically using things like predictions, inferences, connections, and evaluations is a game-changer. These mental tools enhance their understanding and critical thinking skills (Young Children’s Oral Language Development | Reading Rockets). Students of today need this in their mental tool box as it is a major component in becoming a responsible digital citizen of the world of tomorrow.

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The Impact on My Students

Seeing the transformation in my students as they develop their comprehension skills through evidence-based practices warms my heart. Not only do they become avid readers and confident writers, but their overall communication skills blossom too. I’ve noticed an increase in their self-assurance during circle time discussions and their ability to express themselves creatively.

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Choosing the Right Texts: Age, Interests, and Ability

To fuel their love for reading and ensure maximum comprehension, I make sure to choose appropriate texts that match their age, interests, and reading ability. This way, I cater to their individual needs and create an inclusive learning environment.

Tactic 1: Tailored Developmental Content
To cater to each child’s uniqueness, I try to choose texts that match their developmental stage. All that formal and informal level assessments sure comes in handy at this stage. This tactic has helped me select material that suits their level. Hopefully the reading material is neither overwhelming nor too easy.

Example 1: Gradual Complexity
For early readers, I start them off with picture books featuring simple sentences and vivid illustrations. These texts associate words with images, and are great for early reading comprehension. As skills improve, I introduce slightly more complex books with engaging plots. This fosters confidence and enthusiasm for new challenges. 

Example 2: Differentiated Reading
In diverse classrooms, I try to use differentiated reading materials to accommodate varying abilities. Struggling readers receive texts with easy vocabulary, tactile pages and supportive visuals like large illustrations. Having books and accompanying audiobooks enables my slower learners to get more practice reading at home.

Advanced readers jump into more intricate plots and intermediate language. Tailoring content to each student ensures progress at their pace, building a strong comprehension foundation. Digital books are great as embedded reference resources or a video supplement are just a hyperlink click away. 

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Involving Students in the Process: The Book Club Adventure

Another tactic I employ is forming a “Book Club” with rotating ‘Book Boss of The Week”. Each week, the little Teacher becomes the Book Boss and chooses the book we’ll read next. They present the book to the class, share why they picked it, and get everyone excited about the upcoming adventure. 

It fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment, making them more invested in the reading process. I secretly suspect they just like being call the ‘Small Boss’ (小老闆, xiǎo lǎobǎn) by their friends for the week. 😂

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Conclusion

Incorporating evidence-based oral language and written experiences into my ESL classes has been a game-changer. By including my students in the process, encouraging them to participate in discussions, storytelling, and thoughtful writing, I have seen them make incredible strides in their comprehension skills. 

Choosing the right texts based on their age, interests, and ability keeps them engaged and motivated to explore the wonders of reading. 

As I witness their growth and enthusiasm firsthand, I’m more convinced than ever that these approaches are paving the way for a brighter and more successful future for all my students. 

Happy learning!

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Sources Consulted/ Cited: 

(1) Literacy Block: Oral Language – Evidence Based Early Literacy
(2) Young Children’s Oral Language Development | Reading Rockets
(3) Children’s comprehension problems in oral and written language: A cognitive perspective. – APA PsycNet
(4) Language | Resources | Center for Development and Learning
(5) 14 Ways to Improve Your Students’ Oral Language Skills 
(6) The Role of Oral Language in Developing Written Language SkillsQuestions for European Pedagogy? | Writing Development in Children with Hearing
(7) ERIC – EJ319972 – Using Reading and Writing to Improve Oral Language Skills., Topics in Language Disorders, 1985 – ERIC – Education Resources

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Here are some infographics you might find useful:
InfoGraph 💐: Classroom Behavior Strategies (M4U2A1)
InfoGraph 💐: Everyone Learns Differently (M5U4A2)
InfoGraph 💐: Reading Activities Resource for Families (M5U4A2)
InfoGraph 💐: Digital Citizen Poster (M2U1A3)

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