What is a graded reader?
A graded reader is a story which is adapted to a specific language level according to strict guidelines. These guidelines allow a syllabus to be constructed at a number of grades of language difficulty. The choice of reading material at an appropriate level for the learner is critical if the learner is to read fluently.
How are readers graded?
Vocabulary, structure, syntax, and information load are all carefully controlled. At lower levels key topic vocabulary is illustrated where possible. Click here for a summary of the structural syllabus, with the number of headwords used at each stage in the Bookworms and Dominoes series.
Click here for the Classic Tales Syllabus.
What are headwords?
Graded readers are partly graded through vocabulary, and vocabulary level is identified by the use of headwords. Following the carefully designed grading guidelines, headwords are words within a level-appropriate list available to authors or adapters to use freely. Students at the appropriate level can be expected to be familiar with these words.
Bookworms and Dominoes use the same grading scheme both for vocabulary and structure.
How is a title selected to be a graded reader?
A
graded readers series should resemble a library or a bookshop.
It should include a wide range of titles so as to appeal to a wide range
of readers.
Titles for OUP's series are selected to enhance this choice.
In addition, any title selected must be adaptable to the appropriate language
level.
What's different between the Oxford Bookworms and Dominoes Series?
Oxford Bookworms are designed primarily for extensive reading. They tend to be used outside the classroom, and are uninterrupted by any activities -- although there are activities at the end of the book.
Dominoes are designed for more intensive reading -- perhaps for study partly
in the classroom -- and for this reason provide more support
for the students, with activities at the end of each chapter.
What is the difference between
intensive and extensive reading?
Intensive Reading: aims to build more language knowledge, rather than practice the skill of reading. What can a student learn from intensive reading:
- Meet some new vocabulary
- Practice some grammar
- Learn something about the topic on the text.
Extensive Reading: aims to build reading fluency and reading confidence. The focus is on general comprehension and on developing reading fluency, and not directly on learning new language.
For a more detailed explanation on the differences between extensive and intensive
reading as well as additional information on graded readers, download Rob Waring's
publication on "The 'Why' and 'How' of Using Graded Readers".
Why should I incorporate listening with graded readers?
More than 80 Bookworms Library and Dominoes titles are available on cassette in British or American English. They are a great way to develop listening skills at the same time as adding a new dimension to reading.
What supplementary materials are available to support the Oxford Graded Readers?
Students using Oxford Graded Readers have activities integrated into each reader as well as being supported by photos or illustrations, a glossary, and activity books. These materials keep students engaged in the stories and help reinforce their understanding of both the story and of key language.
Teachers are equally spoiled with a range of materials available to make classes
more enjoyable and successful - Teacher's Handbooks contain Photocopiable tests,
answer keys, an introduction to the Series; Activity Worksheets include story
summaries, discussion topics, photocopiable worksheets, teacher's notes, and
answer keys.
These teacher resources are all also available online* with over 400 photocopiable activities. Support material for new titles is being added all the time.
* Register free with the Oxford
UK Teacher's Club to access these materials. Log on at http://www.oup.com/elt/global/teachersclub/products/readers/
How can I get my students to read when they don't read in their own language?
But they do watch television, films, and DVDs, don't they? Stories are all around us, every day, and everybody likes a good story.
So the secret is … begin with the story. Use it as a hook to catch your fish!
Introducing a story by listening to the opening chapter on audio CD is a good way to get even reluctant readers wanting to find out more. Stop at an interesting moment and talk about what might happen next – and decide if this is a story you will enjoy.
Why does Bookworms include so many adaptations of classics?
Many of the world's greatest stories have been with us for hundreds of years. The cinema returns to these stories again and again – so do we. Students like to feel that the story they are reading is universal – not specially written for learning English.
Why a graded reader and not a native speaker text?
When you learn to play an instrument you start with tunes that are appropriate for your level. When you start reading in English you need a book that's written for your language level. It's important that students understand 95%, otherwise they decode rather than read for meaning.
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