Motivating reluctant adolescent readers

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Abstract

This effective practice, from the LEARNS newsletter The Tutor (winter 2000) provides fourteen questions to consider when preparing a tutoring session with a reluctant adolescent reader.

 

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Issue

Evidence suggests that teenagers who have disengaged from reading probably had difficulty learning to read in the primary grades. By their teenage years, reading becomes a school-imposed activity. 

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Action

According to LEARNS, consider the following when preparing your tutoring session:
  • Find out the student's interests, and structure the tutoring around those interests.

  • Be flexible and collaborate with the student.

  • Adjust the tutoring sessions to the student’s learning rhythms.

  • Give the student choices in reading materials.

  • Encourage the student to react in his or her own way to the material.

  • Distinguish between reading for information and reading for pleasure.

  • Demonstrate your enthusiasm for and love of language.

  • Gather supporting materials from a wide variety of sources.

  • Maintain a student portfolio to document growing skills and promote self-confidence.

  • Engage in conversation and reading aloud as other forms of literacy.

  • Connect reading and writing together by transforming speech into written materials.

  • If tutoring an English-language learner, use materials from your student’s culture.

  • Encourage reading aloud, with ample time for discussion of the story.

  • Evaluate and praise the student honestly.

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Citation

"Motivating Reluctant Adolescent Readers: Strategies for National Service Tutors." The Tutor. Portland: LEARNS - Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Winter 2000.

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Outcome

By preparing tutoring sessions with the aforementioned considerations, adolescent readers will be better motivated and consquently build self-confidence and skills in reading, writing and verbal communication.

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Posted On

May 11, 2000

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For More Information

Judith Gold
LEARNS - Bank Street College of Education
610 W 112th Street
New York, NY 10025
Phone: 1-800-930-5664
Fax: (212) 875-4541

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Resources

The Tutor is a newsletter published by LEARNS at the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory, based on work sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Tutor addresses topics related to tutoring, mentoring and literacy projects and provides promising practices.

The Tutor

http://www.nwrel.org/learns/tutor/index.html

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