There are four major approaches to teaching reading: the
Basal, Language
Experience, Individualized
Approach, and Programmed Approach, none of these is best suited for all
individuals at all times. Under certain circumstances there are definite advantages in
using one approach rather than the others. And in some situations, a combination with
emphasis on one of the approaches, generates more progress in individuals than the use of
any one of the above.
But how does one determine which approach to use in their classroom? Under
certain circumstances there are definite advantages to using an approach. Under other
circumstances, the limitations may supersede the advantages and negate them. For example,
it may be very beneficial to use the Basal approach with a beginning young reader, but an
older beginning reader may be completely "turned off" by it. For him the
Language Experience approach may be better.
The beginning young readers may respond best to a combination of the Language
Experience approaches and the Basal. As he Increases in skills and fluency, the Basal may
be emphasized more than Language Experience until he is ready for the Individualized
approach. The percentage of time spent emphasizing an approach should be flexible
to take best advantage of the unique characteristics of the approach as it meets the
changing needs of the student.
By reading the brief description, advantages, and limitations of each approach,
one may conclude that the Programmed approach is highly structured and impersonal, the
Basal approach is structured with group and teacher interaction, the Individualized
approach is based on student interest and self-selection with teacher and pupil
interaction, and the Language Experience approach is keyed to the special interests of
students with sharing of ideas with the teacher and peers. The following includes a brief
description of each approach and its advantages and limitations.
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