A Fun Reading Comprehension Activity for EFL Students. Enhance EFL Learning with an Interactive Reading Comprehension Activity
A Fun Reading Comprehension Activity for EFL Students
Many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers are familiar with traditional reading comprehension exercises where students read a passage and answer multiple-choice questions. Despite efforts to make these activities engaging through brainstorming or creative exercises, they often lead to uninspired classrooms where students aren’t truly reading for comprehension, enjoying the material, learning new vocabulary in context, practicing grammar, or engaging in interactive learning. If this sounds familiar, a fun and straightforward activity can rejuvenate your reading classes.
Preparation Steps
To kick off this activity, select an engaging text that appeals to your students. This could be anything from a light-hearted joke from a magazine to a colorful brochure about Disneyland. The key is to ensure the text is lively and enjoyable.
- Create the Text Document: Type the passage, leaving large margins. This way, the text is displayed in a narrow column rather than stretching across the page.
- Make Copies: Print enough copies for all students and take a pair of scissors to class.
In-Class Activity
Once in class, introduce the reading exercise. Be prepared for some initial groans from the students, but here’s where the fun begins:
- Cut the Text: Take the scissors and cut off the last one or two words at the end of each line. The sight of the scissors signals a change in the usual routine.
- Distribute the Papers: Hand out the modified texts and instruct students to read and find the missing word(s) within about five minutes. Encourage them to work in pairs or small groups for discussion.
This collaborative effort fosters genuine communicative negotiation, allowing students to demonstrate their language skills creatively. They may suggest alternatives that are not the original words but are still contextually correct.
Language Skills Developed
This activity not only makes reading fun but also integrates multiple language skills:
- Reading for Comprehension: Students focus on understanding the text.
- Vocabulary Expansion: They must think of words and phrases, engaging both passive and active vocabulary.
- Spelling Practice: Students practice spelling as they fill in the gaps.
- Grammar Application: Understanding parts of speech helps them guess the missing words accurately.
- Speaking and Listening: Pair discussions enhance their conversational skills and expose them to diverse reasoning processes.
Adaptability for Different Levels
One of the great advantages of this activity is its adaptability for various skill levels:
- Beginners: Choose simpler texts and cut out fewer words.
- Advanced Learners: Use more complex passages and remove more words or even entire sentences, challenging them to think creatively.
Adding a Writing Component
For an extended activity, consider cutting out the last two or three sentences. Ask students to creatively complete the passage at home, allowing for imaginative engagement. This can wrap up a class or take a full session, depending on how in-depth you want the activity to be.
Conclusion
As with any teaching method, testing this activity in your classroom is essential. Be open to adjustments based on your students’ specific needs and preferences to make the most of their learning experience.
By implementing this engaging reading comprehension activity, you can transform your EFL classroom into an interactive and enjoyable learning environment.
