Reading+Tasks

It is clear that reading is very important for ESL or EFL students. All the benefits are there and have been highlighted in research (CITE). According to the national literacy trust, the literacy rate is decreasing as students are turing to other forms of literacy over the trusted printed text. It doesn't mean students are reading less, it just means they are reading different things.

Net reading tasks media type="youtube" key="-xHfBAKMcCc" height="315" width="421" align="left" This reading task came from a music video from the band Radiohead. A song of theirs called 'All I need' was used to create awareness about child labour.

Using the video and a charity called The Child Labour Photography Project, a reading task that used all of these elements was created.

The aim of the task is to expose students to a worthy cause and to get them to read online articles.

media type="youtube" key="pNAdzBookEI" height="339" width="454" align="right" Process

**Step 1.** Firstly, show the students the Radiohead video above. This could be done in two ways. A. Simply show the video and ask students to comment on what they think the theme of the video is.

B. The video is split screen, so split the class in two and if possible put something like a white board screen to separate both groups. The aim is to allow each group to watch one side only. Then, put the groups together and ask them to describe what they saw.


 * Step 2. **

Follow the steps on the video on the right. The students will be given a work sheet, which is below. On the work sheet there are 3 stories taken from [|Child labour] website. The students have to read the stories and then match each story with 2 photos which will be projected.

The students should do the task in groups of 2 to start and then make groups of 4 to check their answers.
 * Step 3.**

On the back of the work sheet are some sentences which have been taken out of the story. In the same groups the students have to fill the gaps with the sentences given.
 * Step 4.**

The video will direct students to the [|Child labour questions] part of the website. The students will have to read the website to find the answers to the questions given to them in the worksheet. The work sheet questions correspond with the websites ones.
 * Step 5.**

Step 5 will be given as homework and in the next class each group will be asked to present what they have found out. As there are so many questions I usually ask each group to choose 3 or 4 to talk about. Each group will present what they found out to the class in a short presentation. Every member of the group must talk and they should give a group opinion on the subject. Notes: I found this project to be of interest to the students and getting them to read online was easier than I thought it was going to be. The presentation part of the project means that each student has to play their part and get involved. It also means that the groups must be organized so make sure each groups appoints a leader. media type="custom" key="20292020" media type="facebooklike" key="http%3A%2F%2Fblended-english.wikispaces.com%2FReading%20Tasks" width="366" height="16"
 * Step 6.**

One in a billion [|one in a billion]

Reading XP  Here is a way to possibly help motivate students to read more. XP stands for 'experience' and the idea is taken directly from video games. In a video game, the player can gain extra points by taking on tasks and completing them. **Step 1.** Show the video to the students, it will help them to understand the concept. The students are now able to add stories to their page. The teacher can then check them and give points. ** Suggested point system ** A student gets 2,000XP for each story read and questions answered. When the students have 10,000XP, they get an extra point towards their weekly test. media type="youtube" key="xcEWga0apcU" height="336" width="448" align="center"
 * Step 2. **
 * Monitoring ** - Set up a wikispace and give each student a private page. It's up to you if you want to make it private between you and the student of public; open to everyone.
 * Step 3. **