French

Address the question: What does it mean to read like a culturalist?
or What does it mean to read like a dual-language reader? 

1 comment:

  1. Students who interact with texts from more than one language often encounter challenges that are not apparent in other subject areas. The strategy of Frontloading, more specifically Frontloading with insufficient knowledge, is a way of structuring lessons which allows students with gaps in schema to gain background knowledge and better interpret second language texts. "...not enough prior knowledge is available...building sufficient academic knowledge for more in-depth learning through reading of complex texts." (Buehl, 2011, 147) Frontloading is an effective strategy for second language readers in Manitoba because most students come into classrooms with limited background knowledge in the target language. Teachers need to take on the responsibility of bridging the knowledge gaps to foster text comprehension; moreover, a similar teaching strategy which aids in student comprehension specific to languages is the Direct Method. "The Direct Method...is to be conveyed directly in the target language through the use of demonstration and visual aids, with no recourse to the students' native language." (Freeman & Anderson, 2011, 25) This method encourages encompassed language learning by using techniques seen in Frontloading. These techniques help not only with oral proficiency but also with the knowledge of internal dialogue which is then transmitted to eventual reading proficiency. We believe that teachers who teach language classes need to make greater effort in jump-starting students' initial language knowledge so as to start desired reading proficiency outcomes and goals. Second language students should be trained not only for vocabulary and grammatical structure comprehension, but also challenged with disciplinary texts which allow them to think 'outside the box' in the target language. For the average dual-language reader an insufficient literary background is present; thus, Frontloading and the Direct Method give the strategies needed which better prepare those language students to read in-depth, complex texts.

    By: Alyson Gysel, Mitch Ferreira & Tania Basarab

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