Journal 3: Based on Reading Skills

Discuss reading skills that you have learned in this class, but have rarely used in your reading.   Do you think they are really necessary for better reading? Why or why not?

In chapter 4, reading skills are categorized into four separate skills: 1) word attack skills; 2) comprehension skills; 3) fluency skills; 4) critical reading skills. As reviewed in this chapter, word attack skills refer to reader's decoding skills which requires the reader to recognize that 'the script represents units of language, such as phonemes, syllables, and words'. Comprehension skills refer to the reader's 'ability to use context and knowledge to derive meaning from what is read'. Therefore, reader's grammatical competence and knowledge of how language is formed and used would enable him/her to recognize the language structure and predict how the story will continue. Fluency skills involve speedy recognition of sight words and high frequency letter clusters, along with extensive vocabulary knowledge. Critical reading skills prepare readers to develop analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating what is read. All of the four skills mentioned above are necessary to different extents depending for instance, on reader's reading proficiency and processing level, required reading task and context, and instructional approach taken.

I used to enjoy reading for pleasure and read a wide variety of books including non-fictions, contemporary and classic novels. Unfortunately, most of the reading I do these days are related to either my studies or work. When I used to read extensively, probable skills that I may have used are fluency skills and comprehension skills to an extent. As the main purpose of my reading extensively was for pleasure, no deep understanding of the content was required. Speed of reading was relatively fast for the same reason, thus fluency skills involving vocabulary knowledge was required to read continuously without stopping to refer to a dictionary for unfamiliar words.

As mentioned, most of the reading performed these days involve reading reference books, journals, and textbooks for my studies. As for my work, the reading tasks include reading manuscripts for new book reviews, producing workbook materials based on story books, preparing presentations, just to name a few. The skills required for my study and work related readings are mainly critical reading skills and partly comprehension skills. While reading the materials related to school and work, I am required to analyze what is being read and apply the information to my intended research or production purposes.

Considering my current level of reading skills, the skill that is used the least would be word attack skills. However, depending on the content of the material and context of when the reading is performed (i.e. in test situation), word attack skills may be required to aid better understanding.