The term “reading for meaning” has come into the spotlight once again. The 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) recently announced that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning. The PIRLS study assesses reading comprehension and monitors trends and indicators of growth in the reading literacy of participating countries at five-year intervals.
Misconceptions
There is a misconception that children who cannot read for meaning are unable to read at all. This is not always true. Many children are able to read mechanically and to go through the motions of decoding. However, their reading has not progressed beyond this point. This means that although they can read they cannot access the authors intended meaning. This means that despite being able to read they do not do well in comprehension tests. Being able to read and decode simple words is not enough.
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is the understanding that we draw from written text. This can be at a literal level as well as an inferential level. It is not just about decoding and correctly pronouncing read words accurately. It is about being able to link information within the text and being able to access the deeper meaning of words within the context of a sentence or paragraph. It is about understanding the subtleties of what the author is trying to convey to us. It refers to our ability to link information, infer things and predict what will happen next, based on what is known and has already been read.
Comprehension skills continue to grow and develop throughout our lives as we are exposed to information across a variety of topics, in both verbal and written form. The conversations we have within our families, within our communities and the quality of the information we are exposed to through news channels, social media platforms and the groups that we belong to will have an impact on our ability to comprehend the world around us and the challenges it presents to us. Every bit of knowledge we have of words and facts enables us to understand something else a bit more complex. Without the foundation knowledge we are cut off from understanding the next layer of complex information. We can therefore see comprehension as the continual process of adding building blocks to our knowledge and understanding throughout our lives.
Foundation of other learning
Reading comprehension is the foundation of all other learning at school level. Help2Read says that “reading for meaning gives letters and words purpose, unlocking a world of learning” for the reader. If most learners are unable to do so, then as they move up the grades they are limited in the amount of learning that they can access.
Plans for change and improvement
A new report from the 2030 Reading Panel has found that basic literacy among children in South Africa has declined. Fewer primary school children can read for meaning now than before the Covid pandemic, and most children entering Grade 2 do not know their alphabet names or sounds. But despite us being in the midst of a literacy crisis, there is no set out national reading plan, no proper budget, no proper acknowledgement, no accurate reporting, no accountability and no progress on implementing vital interventions. The report finds that these children, who do not know the alphabet by the end of Grade 2, are “perpetually behind and in ‘catch-up’ mode, although they never actually catch up”. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-reading-panel-background-report-7-feb-2023.pdf
The ability to read for meaning is the gateway to other types of learning. Children who are unable to comprehend written text are shut out of aspects of basic education, further education and later on employment opportunities. As an example, in South Africa, employers have been known to point out that potential matriculated job applicants are unable to fully comprehend safety instructions presented in written form. This makes them unemployable in a particular work setting.
To explore the possibility of face-to-face Reading Therapy with Cheryl Cupido in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth (Walmer Heights /Lorraine/ Sunridge), contact her for a free consultation to discuss how she can assist you.
