Developing Reading Material for Advanced ESL Learners

Abstract

Many intermediate and advanced ESL learners, adults particularly, have specific needs in reading, needs which existing instructional materials do not properly address. This paper discusses a curriculum development project undertaken by teachers dissatisfied with the program used for teaching reading in an advanced level ESL course. Certain inadequacies were recognized in the program. Selections were not representative of material students would be likely to read, and exercises dealt only marginally with reading skills. The steps taken by teachers resulted in a major re-orientation to reading instruction. Based on findings yielded by a survey of learners and a study of recent literature, instructional objectives were established in two areas: a) skills to be developed and b) text-types to be presented. Following that, texts were selected, and skill-oriented exercises were developed. After classroom trials, the materials were implemented in the advanced course as a new reading program, and a system for ongoing revision was organized. In describing developmental procedures and sample materials, this paper provides working guidelines for handling problems relating to the teaching of reading.