Starting at a new school this year gave me a great excuse to try some new ideas in the classroom. One of these is building a free reading habit in French class. Every week during the block period, students of my French 2 and French 4 classes choose a book from the classroom library and read silently for 15 minutes. The library is made up of novels written for French learners that are easily comprehensible to students, using a limited vocabulary including cognates for easier comprehension. The writing is simple and repetitive, allowing students to focus on the story rather than on decoding the language.
I have been amazed that even a class of 30 students requires only the rare reminder to keep focused. Their task is simply to read and to keep track of what page they left off for next time. There is no assignment, project, or assessment: the reading is truly “free”.
According to linguistics and education professor Dr. Stephen Krashen, the more we read, the more we acquire vocabulary, grammar, and complex sentences without necessarily being aware that we are learning. We know this to be true regarding the importance of reading in developing one’s first language. Dr. Krashen’s Reading Hypothesis posits that when reading is comprehensible and enjoyable, it leads to language acquisition in second languages as well.
Not only do students acquire the language through reading, they also have an opportunity to learn empathy and life lessons through the compelling stories found in the classroom. So grab a book and join us in Room 28!
Stephen Krashen is a particular hero of mine. He is well known in library world for stating "…our first priority should be to make sure that high-interest reading material is easily available to students, and that students have time to read and a place to read." I agree so much with providing quality books, time and place!
I love that quote Joan! I think providing students a space for free reading is so important. As a parent I want my boys to grow up and always enjoy reading. I'm always buying them books and providing them with the space to read. I think this is awesome to do in your French class Kristy! I wish I would have had the opportunity for free reading in my language classes as a student.
I love this!
This is such a great idea! I remember the first time I was able to read a text in another language and understand it without translating word-for-word. I think it's wonderful that you give your students the opportunity to experience this excitement. I want to come check out your library!
I am fascinated that Joan is a Krashen fan… he was a USC dude and I could not avoid him based on my area of focus… i have mixed feelings about Krashen but the one on reading is not something “i beg to differ” with him on. I actually think that there are so many extensions possible with this basic foundation… and in today’s day in age the pure act of stopping to read is an exercise in mindfulness.
Thanks for coming by!
Thanks for posting this, Kristy! I feel validated in doing book clubs with my seniors (see my most recent blog post, The Power of Choice).
I am convinced that students get the best out of their reading when it is pleasurable for them. I enjoyed reading about your book club. I'm glad it went so well and love it that you even felt a little left out. They were doing the work!