Using Reading Comprehension in Lessons

There are many reading comprehension and dialogue resources on this site (see list below). Each reading or dialogue contains the selection, key vocabulary and expressions and a follow-up quiz. These exercises are great for individual use on the internet. They can also be incorporated into a lesson plan to help focus on specific grammar or subject areas. The following lesson plan is a blueprint to using these resources for your classes.

Aim: Provide context for various grammar or subject areas

Activity: Reading / dialogue comprehension

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Outline:

• Decide whether you'd like to incorporate the reading / dialogue into the lesson or assign as homework.
• As a class, review the key vocabulary section provided with each reading/dialogue. Make sure students understand this vocabulary. If they don't, ask them to explain it to each other or use a dictionary. As a last resort, explain the word or phrase to the class in your own words.
• Ask students to read reading/dialogue. If you are using a dialogue, have students first read the dialogue and then pair up to practice reading the dialogue aloud. Have students switch roles and practice a number of times. Go around the class and help students with pronunciation, intonation and stress.
• Ask students to do the quiz on their computer and keep track of their score.
• Open up the exercise to discussion. Possible questions: What did you think of this reading? Can you give other examples of this type of situation and which phrases you would use? etc.
• Key in on vocabulary by having students create a vocabulary tree. Ask students to add to this tree by working in small groups to find appropriate related vocabulary and phrases.
• Take each key word or phrase and use in a variety of questions around the class. Encourage students to do the same in small groups.

Here is a list of dialogues/reading comprehension resources on the site to use with this type of lesson:

Beginner - Lower Intermediate

The City and the Country - Comparative form, as ... as

Interview with a Famous Actor - Daily routines, present simple

What's in Your Office? - Use of there is / there are, prepositions and office furniture vocabulary

What Were You Doing? - Use of the past continuous in combination with the past simple

The Oregon Weather Forecast - Use of the future with will for predictions, weather vocabulary

A Business Presentation - Use of the present perfect

An Interview - Superlative Forms

Introductions - Basic questions used when meeting someone for the first time.

Filling in a Form - Basic personal information questions (name, address, etc.)

The Meeting - Schedules, future plans.

A New Office - This, that, some and any with objects.

Cooking - Daily routines and hobbies.

A Great Workout - Abilities with 'can', making suggestions.

A Busy Day - Plans for the day, responsibilities with 'have to'.

Planning a Party - Future with 'will' and 'going to'

Intermediate

Business English

• Deliveries and Suppliers
• Taking a Message
• Placing an Order
• Tomorrow's Meeting
• Discussing Ideas

English for Medical Purposes Dialogues

• Troubling Symptoms - Doctor and Patient
• Joint Pain - Doctor and Patient
• A Physical Examination - Doctor and Patient
• Pain that Comes and Goes - Doctor and Patient
• A Prescription - Doctor and Patient
• Helping a Patient - Nurse and Patient

Dialogues Focusing on the Service Industry

• Cleaning Staff - Vocabulary and requests dealing with cleaning rooms and taking care of guests
• A Drink at the Bar - Vocabulary and situations related to serving customers at a bar