How to Teach Reading Strategies: A Complete Guide for English Teachers

How to Teach Reading Strategies: A Complete Guide for English Teachers

Reading is one of the most essential skills in English language learning. It not only builds vocabulary and grammar awareness but also improves writing, speaking, and critical thinking. However, teaching reading effectively goes far beyond asking students to “read and answer questions.” To truly help learners understand and enjoy reading, teachers need to teach reading strategies — the tools and techniques that good readers use to make sense of a text.

This post will explore what reading strategies are, why they matter, and how to teach them step by step in the ESL/EFL classroom.

 

What Are Reading Strategies?

Reading strategies are the mental processes that skilled readers use to understand, interpret, and respond to written texts. These strategies help students move from simply decoding words to comprehending meaning.

Some of the most common reading strategies include:

• Predicting: Making guesses about what the text will be about before and during reading.
• Skimming: Quickly reading a text to get the general idea.
• Scanning: Looking for specific information, such as numbers, names, or keywords.
• Inferring: Reading between the lines to understand the writer’s implied meaning.
• Summarizing: Identifying and restating the main points in one’s own words.
• Questioning: Asking questions about the text to deepen understanding.
• Visualizing: Creating mental images of what is being described.

These strategies can be taught explicitly through modeling, guided practice, and independent application.

 

Why Teach Reading Strategies?

Teaching reading strategies helps students become active readers instead of passive ones. Many learners — especially at lower levels — tend to read word by word without understanding the overall meaning. By learning strategies, students can:

1. Improve comprehension and retention.
2. Read faster and with more confidence.
3. Handle unfamiliar vocabulary more effectively.
4. Engage critically with different types of texts.
5. Become more autonomous and motivated readers.

When teachers focus on reading strategies, they help students transfer these skills to real-world reading — from academic texts to online articles and stories.

 

Stages of a Reading Lesson

A well-structured reading lesson typically has three stages: Pre-reading, While-reading, and Post-reading.

Each stage can incorporate different strategies to support comprehension and engagement.

 

1. Pre-Reading Stage

The pre-reading stage prepares students for what they are about to read. This stage helps activate their background knowledge, generate interest, and set a purpose for reading.

Strategies to Teach in This Stage:

• Predicting: Show students the title, pictures, or key words and ask, “What do you think this text is about?”
• Activating Prior Knowledge: Encourage students to share what they already know about the topic.
• Setting a Purpose: Tell students why they are reading — for general understanding, specific information, or detailed analysis.

Example Activity:
Display the title “A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Photographer.” Ask students to predict what the article will describe and brainstorm words related to wildlife or photography.

 

2. While-Reading Stage

This is where students engage with the text and apply reading strategies to build comprehension.

Strategies to Teach in This Stage:

• Skimming: Ask students to read quickly for the main idea.
• Scanning: Have them look for specific facts or details.
• Inferring: Encourage them to guess meanings from context and interpret implied ideas.
• Visualizing: Ask them to imagine scenes or settings described in the text.

Example Activity:
Give students a short passage and ask them to find the answers to specific questions like “Where does the story take place?” or “Who is the main character?” Then, have them discuss how they found the information — reinforcing the scanning strategy.

 

3. Post-Reading Stage

After reading, students should reflect on what they have learned and connect the text to their own experiences or opinions.

Strategies to Teach in This Stage:

• Summarizing: Ask students to write or share a brief summary.
• Questioning: Encourage them to ask or answer deeper questions about the text’s message or purpose.
• Evaluating: Discuss whether they agree or disagree with the author’s ideas.

Example Activity:
Students write a short summary of the text in five sentences, then compare it with a partner’s version. This promotes understanding and critical thinking.

 

How to Teach Reading Strategies Step by Step

Teaching reading strategies effectively requires planning, patience, and consistency. Here’s a practical approach:

Step 1: Model the Strategy

Demonstrate how to use the strategy by “thinking aloud.” For example, when teaching predicting, say:

“The title says The Future of Technology. I think the text will talk about new inventions or artificial intelligence.”

Step 2: Practice Together

Guide students through the strategy with a shared text. Ask questions and give hints, helping them apply the skill collaboratively.

Step 3: Independent Practice

Let students try the strategy on their own with a new text. Encourage them to explain what strategy they used and how it helped.

Step 4: Reflect

Ask students which strategies they find most useful and when they can use them outside class (e.g., reading news, social media, or study materials).

 

Teaching Tips for Success

1. Choose appropriate texts: Match reading materials to your students’ level and interests.
2. Teach one strategy at a time: Avoid overwhelming learners with too many techniques at once.
3. Integrate vocabulary support: Pre-teach key words that might block comprehension.
4. Encourage discussion: Let students talk about what they read to reinforce understanding.
5. Use visuals and real-life materials: Charts, pictures, and authentic texts make lessons more engaging.
6. Differentiate tasks: Offer easier or more challenging questions depending on ability levels.

 

Engaging Classroom Activities

Here are some classroom-friendly activities to make strategy teaching more interactive:

• Prediction Cards: Give students cards with possible predictions and let them choose which fits the text best.
• Jigsaw Reading: Divide a text into sections, assign each group a part, then have them share summaries.
• Information Hunt: Use scanning exercises with news articles or online ads.
• Comprehension Ladder: Have students climb “steps” from skimming to detailed understanding through successive tasks.
• Summary Challenge: Students summarize a text using only ten words, then expand it into a paragraph.

 

Assessing Reading Strategy Development

Assessment should focus on process as well as product. Instead of only testing comprehension questions, evaluate how students read — what strategies they use and how effectively they apply them.

You can use:

• Reading journals
• Self-assessment checklists
• Observation during group work
• Strategy-use interviews

For example, ask:

“How did you guess the meaning of that word?”
“What helped you understand the paragraph?”

This reflection encourages metacognition — awareness of one’s own learning process.

 

Conclusion

Teaching reading strategies is about empowering students to become independent, confident, and motivated readers. When learners know how to predict, skim, scan, infer, and summarize, they take control of their reading journey.

As teachers, our role is to guide, model, and support them through meaningful practice. By combining effective strategies with engaging materials and reflective discussions, you can transform reading lessons into powerful opportunities for language growth and lifelong learning.