From the Ivory Tower to the Classroom:  A Research-based Approach to Reading

This session will:

1. Explain how to introduce a large scale reading initiative, (involving over 2,500 students each academic year),  to support the diverse range of  readers in an international school based on the latest research and best practice, (Yopp, Adams and Pearson).

 

2. Introduce the 4 key areas to target in order to support readers:    print concepts, letter knowledge/ letter sound relationships, phonological awareness and vocabulary/ background knowledge and comprehension, (the technical approach).  

 

3. Provide concrete practical strategies to support readers  in  these 4 key areas of reading.

 

4. Illustrate how a core set of motivational principles based on Deci & Ryan’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory, Bandura’s (1986) Self-Efficacy Theory and Interest research can also be utilised to support readers, (the holistic approach).  

 

5. Brainstorm some teaching ideas and applications which may be suitable in participants’ own educational context. 

In short, this session will provide rich and powerful insights into how to collect valid data about reading attainment and use these data to not only track students' reading progress but also utilise them in a diagnostic fashion in order to develop a successful, holistic reading programme that meets the variety of students’ reading needs in the diverse international school context, hence creating motivated and engaged readers of all levels. 

 Audience:  Primary and Middle

Workshop materials:Handouts will be provided.

Presenter:

Dr. Tanya Hames

Overseas Family School

Linguistic Analyst

tanya_hames@ofs.edu.sg

I have been working as a language teacher and coordinator in various International Baccalaureate schools in Singapore for 15 years to date.  Over the years, I have become very interested in, and have therefore researched at Master's Level, (Nottingham University, UK), and doctoral level, (Durham University, UK), the psychological apsect of education/ language learning, with specific focus on the psychological construct of motivation and second language learners.

I am currently the Linguistic Analyst, K through 12, at OFS, (the biggest International Baccalaureate School in the world), where my main role is to ensure that an optimal language learning environment is provided so that all students can develop their full potential in English, a foreign language and their mother tongue.  I see it as my duty to ensure that students' language learning experiences are motivating and engaging, and that they enhance their self-esteem and confidence through language learning. I am also passionate about developing students' full potential in reading and writing, and am increasingly focusing on the link between motivation and reading/ writing. 

I have presented at various conferences and workshops over the years, as well as having received various awards, for example,  the Sir Basil Blackwell prize at Nottingham University for my research about metacognition and my subsequent learner training initiative with regards to second language learning.  I will present a paper at the Asia Pacific Educational Research Conference in November 2008 entitled "Utilising Key Motivational Principles to Personalise Language Learning in the L2 Classroom".  I am currently writing a book entitled "Motivating Young Minds: A Practical Guide for Parents and Care-givers" which leads on from Chapter 6 of my doctoral thesis about motivation.    

 power-point presentation facility/ flexible with regards to numbers