COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES

READING AND TYPES OF READING SKILLS SQR3

Reading is one of the language skills emphasized in English Language learning. Reading
as an exercise goes alongside comprehension and recognition, since the main crux of
reading is to understand and acquire knowledge and information. In the process of reading,
a reader gains knowledge from oral, visual or written text. Comprehension on the other
hand involves gaining overall understanding of what is described in a text rather than to
obtain meaning from isolated words and sentences. Reading is fundamentally important
for success which opens door to the attainment of already set goals in academics. Learning
to read then is a means to this end.

SQR3 is a reading and comprehension strategy that will aid learners read effectively as
well as understand in order to achieve set academic goals. SQ3R stand for Survey,
Question, Read, Recite and Review. This strategy was developed by Francis Robinson in
1941. He is of the view that it is a higher level study skill to make text easier to remember.

SURVEY

Survey gives a quick overview of a text. To survey means to go through a text or material
with the purpose of getting a ”general idea” of what the chapter, section or article is about.
In order to effectively go through this stage, it is necessary to quickly look at the
following:

- The Titles, headings and subheadings

- Introduction as well as conclusion

- Questions

- Figures, graphs, tables or diagrams

- Words or ideas in bold or italics or words in inverted commas.

- Look through footnotes to get better understanding of new words. All these will aid in
figuring out the purpose of the topic, language as well as the likely duration it will take to
digest the material.

QUESTIONING

Using information gathered from the survey stage, prepare some questions about what you
need to learn in the reading task. Formulating these questions helps to keep you alert and
involved in reading as well as helps you remember by linking to an already existing
knowledge you have about the topic

You can prepare these questions by;

- Turning headings and subheadings into questions

- Turning the highlighted words to questions

- Generating your own questions based on your interest in the topic

For example, if the title of a passage is The Need to Curb the “Japa” Syndrome Amongst
Our Youth

Your question could be

What is “japa” syndrome?

Why is “japa” syndrome common among our youths?

Does the Government have a role to play in this issue?

What are the effects of the syndrome?

How can we manage the syndrome?

READ

After Question, reading is the next stage in this strategy. Reading is the commencement of
the main exercise. At this stage, a student read the text to find answers to their questions,
using the following tips:

- Make markings when you stumble upon information that seems relevant to your
questions. That is, underlining or highlighting key ideas
- Jot down points in the margin
- Underline main ideas

RECALL/RECITE

At the completion of the reading phase, you can test memory skills by putting away notes
and related materials away for a moment.
At this point, you should be able to:
- Summarize the purpose of reading
- Grasp the main ideas of the text
- Remember the key terms and answers to your initial questions

This phase is a good test of how well you have understood the text.

REVIEW

This phase helps glue the main information to memory. It is not time to look through the
notes you have made so far rather, you map out key ideas in your own words and you
summarise them to your understanding as well as make a timeline. This stage organizes the
information gotten so far from text

To sum it all, SQR3 is the solution to the complaint of “I can’t remember what I read” or “I
thought I knew what I read”

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MODERN

LANGUAGE LEARNING

According to Walter Makenzie (2022 ) “ A new age demands a new paradigm ”. As a result,
there has been a lot of development in the field of education, demanding that both scholars
and tutors need to keep abreast with “trends” in order to meet up with the ever growing
demands for the advancement of knowledge. This shift from the traditional mode of doing
things has extended to several works of life and English language learning is not left out

ICT means Information and Communication Technology. This entails computer,

communication and features that variously support learning and a range of activities in
education. The role of ICT has become inevitable in the 21st century, an essential tool for
educational change and reform. For instance, ICT has availed learners and tutors all over
the world the ability to engage in peer teaching irrespective of distance or location.
Language acquisition and usage has gone beyond the conventional situation where we can
use applications like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and others to learn language provided
we can afford internet services required. Below are several means through which language
can be learnt using ICT.

1. The internet
The internet offers the opportunity to learn language through various websites. Users may
return to websites they had earlier consulted or use it as a means to share information and
ideas.
2. Ebooks (electronic book)
An e book is an electronic version of a traditional print book. The use of electronic images,
posters, video, texts, and audio books assist in the knowledge of English grammar and
application.
3. Audio Books
Audio books are recordings on CD or digital file of a book which are read aloud. With use
of audio books, learners listen to teachings. Audio books aid in the development of the
four language skills: phonological, semantic, syntactic and pragmatic and listening,
reading, writing and speaking.
4. Webinar
A webinar is an interactive seminar conducted via the World Wide Web. It is usually a live
presentation lecture or workshop that happens in real time as users participate through
chatting, video chatting, voice chatting , file sharing etc. Webinars are helpful in learning
grammar. For instance, during the COVID 19 pandemic, the restrictions to physical
contact or gathering provided students and learners generally the opportunity to attend
classes through webinars.
5. Interactive Whiteboard/ Smartboard
Usually connected to the computer and data projector, Learning takes place through video
clips, film interviews etc. IWB lectures can be recorded and saved for future use. It
provides the language learner the opportunity to experience feedback during the learning
procees.
6. Mobile Apps
Mobile digital services like laptops, tablets, ipod, smartphones and others have made the
learning of English language easier and more accessible. Presently, there are readily
available apps which furnish learners with quizzes, games, dictionaries, podcasts and tests.
Some example are dictionary.com, Quizmaster, 60-seconds word challenge.
7. Tape Recorder
This is useful for teaching pronunciation, stress and intonation. Recorded information can
be reproduced in classrooms. It helps students develop interest in pronounciation.
8. Audio Visual Aids
The use of audio-visual aids has ushered in a new genre in the field of language learning.
It makes learners active in class
9. Language Laboratory

This is a recent innovation in language learning where sound equipments, projectors,

computers, headphones and other gadgets are used in the practise of listening and
speaking.

10. Mobile phones

Mobile phone has also become an essential tool in language learning. It is a mini computer
carried around by people in their pockets. It is an easy and efficient tool used in language
learning which entails: portability, social interactivity, community and immediacy.

Other electronic means of learning English language include the television, film, and the
projector..

Advantages of ICT in Modern Language Learning

1. ICT provides students with current information

2. It is fast
3. It is portable
4. It aids personal research
5. It encourages interrelationships and interactivity
6. With ICT, learners can learn independently

Disadvantages

1. ICT requires adequate infrastructure and trained personnel

2. Learners could get distracted
3. It is expensive
4. It requires constant electricity

In conclusion, ICT is a vital tool in the advancement of the learning of English language
because it increases scope and equips learners with good communicative skills. It also
makes learning easier and more interesting.