English Comprehension

English Comprehension

Sarah L. Monteiro-Suministrado

Teacher III

Plaridel Integrated National High School ​

​What is comprehension?

​ Comprehension is the understanding and interpretation of what is read. To be able to accurately understand a material, one needs to be able to (1) decode what they read; (2) make connections between what they read and what they already know; and (3) think deeply about what they have read.

​Level 1 - Vocabulary​

Let us have a warm up :-)

Multiple Choice

1. The prince abdicated the crown and returned to his castle. Abdicated means…

• Gave up

• Sold

• Reinvested into

• Auctioned

Multiple Choice

2. The convicted criminal absconded prior to the sentencing phase of the trial. Absconded means…

• Touched the jury

• reported immediately

• left after discussion

• departed secretly

Multiple Choice

3. The old man was benevolent with his fortune. Benevolent means…

• Secretive

• Stingy

• Kind

• Careful

Multiple Choice

4. The doctor was known as a charlatan over the years of his practice. Charlatan means…

• Quack

• Knowledgeable physician

• Procedural physician

• Medical examiner

Multiple Choice

5. Which is a synonym of duplicity?

• Dishonesty

• Favoritism

• Weakness

• Power

Poll

In a scale of 1 to 5 -- with 5 being the highest -- how would you rate your vocabulary knowledge?

• 1 - Needs Improvement

• 2 - Fair

• 3 - Satisfactory

• 4 - Very Satisfactory

• 5 - Super

What can we learn from this activity?

​

Lesson 1. Vocabulary is ESSENTIAL to comprehension.

Vocabulary is key to reading comprehension. As speakers of English as second language, one cannot understand what they are reading/ listening to without knowing what most of the words mean. As we learn English in more advanced texts, we must learn the meaning of new words that are not part of our daily vocabulary.

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How can we improve our vocabulary?

1. Reading​

2. Listening

3. Writing

4. ​Watching

5. Speaking/Conversing​

Use the five macro skills that we have:

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1st READING

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​ If you are going to READ, read relevant blogs, posts, popular books or anything that interests you. If you do not have the time, just 10-minutes will do. Sit down, and try to read a part of an article or story, then write down English vocabulary words that are not familiar to you.

After writing them down, try to search its meaning. Doing this on a daily basis could greatly improve one's vocabulary. ​

2nd LISTENING

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Listening is how we first learn words as a child and can profoundly impact how we learn to pronounce and use new words.

​

Music is a fun way to learn new words while immersing yourself in the popular culture of English-speaking countries. Find music in genres you like and listen along for words you know.

​

3rd WRITING

In the age of the internet, writing has become essential to learning and using a new language.

​

Keep a journal of your day in English. This is an easy way to incorporate new vocabulary into sentences and to check your understanding of any new words.

​

Learn to look for synonyms. If you want to expand your vocabulary, you’ll have to push yourself to use new words.​

4th WATCHING/ VIEWING

Learn how a new word is used by watching someone use it in context. You’ll learn about the different contexts that may surround a new word as well as the gestures and mannerisms that often accompany it. 

​

Tip: Combine your listening and reading skills by turning on the closed captioning in English, which can be a helpful way to visualize the words being spoken aloud.

​

​5th Conversing/ Speaking

Now it’s time to take your new words for a test drive. Conversing allows you to gain valuable input on your word usage and pronunciation while expanding your vocabulary.

​

Talk with a native-English speaker if you have the chance.

OR

Talk to yourself in the mirror and try to record it. ​

​

​

§One of the amazing  English vocabulary facts: of all the languages in the world, English has the largest vocabulary about 800,000 words.

If your goal is to speak English fluently, you are not required to study 10,000 words. 2,000 is enough to get you started.

​GOOD NEWS!

​Level 2 - Making Inferences

​

Let us have another round :-)

Multiple Choice

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. What can you infer about the type of work Paul does?

• He works as a lawyer.

• He works as a doctor.

• He teaches PE in a small-town school.

• He cuts trees down in a forest.

Multiple Select

2. You are walking outside and go past the cafeteria door and have to step over a face down slice of pizza. What can you infer about what happened?

• There was food fight.

• Someone was mad about the taste of the pizza.

• Someone had trouble carrying the pizza outside.

• The canteen manager didn't come to work because he/she was sick.

Multiple Choice

3. Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning. What probably happened?

• Turner realized that he had an unnatural fear of falling radio parts.

• Turner had promised himself to do something silly that morning.

• Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.

• Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus ride.

Multiple Choice

4. “Larry, as your boss, I must say it’s been very interesting working with you,” Miss Valdez said. “However, it seems that our company’s needs and your performance style are not well matched. Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask you to resign your position effective from today.” What was Miss Valdez telling Larry?

• She would feel really bad if he decided to quit.

•  

  He was being fired.

• She really enjoyed having him in the office.

• He was getting a raise in pay.

Multiple Select

5. No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon. What is the message?

• I don’t want a gift.

• Buy me a new car.

• The mall is fun.

•  

  I’ll carry a bucket for you.

What can we learn from this activity?

​

Lesson 2. To comprehend English better, try to read between the lines.

Learning how to read between the lines or infer while reading/ listening/watching in English is a fundamental strategy that will help us take the meaning of a text deeper. When we infer, we can find clues in the given text and use what we already know from personal experience or past knowledge to fully understand what the text is about.

As prior knowledge is UNIQUE to each one of us, and could affect the way a listener/speaker/reader comprehends a certain text, it is important to categorize them:

1. Personal ​

2. Cultural​

3. The knowledge of concepts​

Draw

What is the correct definition of each?

Identify what type of connection is being described in the given situations.

Let us have a quick recap :-)

Multiple Choice

 

While reading, John notices that the main character in the story is tough, just like the main character in the book he read yesterday.

• text-to-text

• text-to-self

• text-to-world

Multiple Choice

 

Anna is reading a Science Fiction story. In the story, she thinks that what happens to the characters could also happen on Earth if people don't start recycling more.

• text-to-text

• text-to-self

• text-to-world

Multiple Choice

Tom is reading a book and notices that the main character's aunt is very similar to his aunt Selena.

• text-to-text

• text-to-self

• text-to-world

Multiple Choice

 

Camille is reading a non-fiction book about the Civil War. She thinks that the author of the book would disagree with a point another author made about the Civil War.

• text-to-text

• text-to-self

• text-to-world

​Level 3 - Critical Thinking

(composed of 2 questions) ​

Let us have the last round :-)

Poll

1st Conclusion: Some snakes hatch their eggs themselves.

Does the 1st conclusion follow the statements?

• Yes.

• No.

Poll

2nd Conclusion: Some animals that lay eggs only have one lung.

Does the 2nd conclusion follow the statements?

• Yes.

• No.

Lesson 3. Comprehension is the ability to know and understand what you've read/ listened to. Critical thinking is the ability to determine whether you should believe it or not!

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​TIPS on how to develop GOOD ENGLISH Comprehension Skills

1. Read, read, read.

§Reading frequently will help your son learn new words and interpret different meanings.  Encourage him to build an ample and wide vocabulary by looking up difficult or unfamiliar words in the dictionary and writing them down

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2. Never read a book/ listen to someone without a PEN in your hand.

​Because handwriting takes longer, it forces you to think critically about what's really worth jotting down. This process of critical thinking can boost your memory even further and train your brain to hone in on the most important aspects of what you're learning and trying to remember.

3. Ask questions.

Through asking questions, one can create a dialogue in their mind as he/she reads or listens. Asking questions after can stimulate critical analysis and further research on the topic.

4. Read/ listen to a whole paragraph / section BEFORE you stop to highlight or take a note.

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​ Don't stop right when you see something interesting; keep reading to get the "big picture" or context of what stood out to you. Then "reread" when you make your notes..

5. Pay attention to summary words.

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"i.e. therefore" or "as a result" or "in conclusion."

​

When you see/hear a summary / conclusion word, make sure you understand the author's points and argument that has led to his conclusion.

6. Learn to summarize.

§Summarizing means recalling the main points or ideas.

​

One must first learn to sequence a text, retell a text using the language of the text, then put it into their own words (paraphrase) and finally select the most important ideas to sum up what the author/speaker has told them.

​RECAP: What are the TIPS on how to develop GOOD ENGLISH Comprehension Skills?

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1. ​Read, read, read.

2. Never read a book/ listen to someone without a PEN in your hand.

3. ​Ask questions.

4. ​ Read/ listen to a whole paragraph / section BEFORE you stop to highlight or take a note.

5. ​ Pay attention to summary words.

6. Learn to summarize.

​REVIEW: What are the 3 lessons in developing English Comprehension?

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1. Build your vocabulary .

2. Read between the lines.

3. Comprehension is the ability to know and understand what you've read/ listened to. Critical thinking is the ability to determine whether you should believe it or not!

​Thank you for listening :-)

​Sarah L. Monteiro-Suministrado

[e-mail]

Teacher III, School Paper Adviser

Plaridel Integrated National High School​

​

References:

§https://www.slideshare.net/charshotts/comprehension-507681

§https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/english/literacy/readingviewing/Pages/litfocuscomprehensionteach.aspx#link52

§https://www.pinterest.com/pin/101331060343021514/

§https://www.pinterest.com/pin/making-predictions-graphic-organizerspdf-digital-pngs--413627547034354048/

§https://sites.google.com/site/captaincomprehension/making-predictions

§https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgbG5lo5Usg

§https://opinion.inquirer.net/154516/comprehending-comprehension

§https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-improve-english/

§https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=making-inferences

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