Read to understand: Not just to finish

Reading is one of the most important English skills because it supports learning in all subjects. Through reading, students improve their vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and thinking ability. For teachers, reading is a powerful tool to build language proficiency and academic success among learners. Reading is not just saying words aloud. It is the process of understanding ideas, messages, meanings, and cultural values shared by the writer. Through reading, students are also exposed to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life, which helps them develop respect for diversity.

Effective reading starts before the actual reading begins. In primary classes, teachers should first help students look at the title, pictures, or headings. This helps students predict what the text may be about and activates their prior knowledge, including cultural experiences. Teachers can ask simple questions like “What do you see?” or “What do you think this story is about?” to create interest and cultural connection. When students are mentally prepared, reading becomes more meaningful.

During reading, students should focus on understanding rather than speed. They should read carefully, notice key ideas, and pay attention to details. When students meet unfamiliar words, they should try to guess the meaning from the context instead of stopping immediately. Teachers can encourage silent reading, model correct pronunciation when needed, and give gentle support without interrupting students too often. Listening to classmates with different accents also helps students appreciate linguistic and cultural differences.

After reading, students should reflect on what they have read. Activities such as summarizing the story, answering questions, matching pictures, or sharing opinions help to strengthen understanding. Teachers can guide discussion, clarify misunderstandings, and connect the text to students’ real-life and cultural experiences. This stage helps reading become meaningful, memorable, and culturally enriching.

Behind the scene: While observing my students during a reading activity, I noticed that each child had a unique reading style. Some read slowly and carefully, some read quickly, and others struggled with certain words but kept trying. Their different accents and expressions made the activity lively and natural. I encouraged them to support each other and focus on understanding rather than speed. Watching them, I realized that reading improvement comes through practice, patience, and encouragement, and creating a positive environment helps students gain confidence and enjoy reading.