Interactive Read-Alouds

Step One: Choose the Right Book

A great read-aloud for English Language Learners is slightly above the level pupils could comprehend on their own. Features like repeated phrases or sentence structures, generally predictable plotlines with fun twists, and awesome illustrations make for excellent interactive read-alouds. In the primary school years, aim for fewer words on a page. Long blocks of text are often a challenge.

Step Two: Prepare for Reading

Grab students’ interest before you start reading. Set a goal for the read-aloud by giving a preview of the follow-up activity, invite students to make predictions based on the cover, or take a picture walk to help them know what to expect.

Step Three: Read and Engage

As you read, stop at key points to make observations, ask questions, or practice new vocabulary. Invite pupils to do the same! Use as much English as you can, and help your students to rephrase or find the words for their ideas. Keep it fun!

Step Four: Follow-Up

After reading, try a creative writing, drama, or discussion activity to keep the learning going. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration on our blog!

Keep in Mind:

• Not every student will grasp every word, and that’s okay! Exposure and scaffolding are key to further development.

• Context is everything. Use an expressive voice, make faces, use gestures, point to the pictures, or refer back to the students’ first language to support comprehension.

• Recorded audio just isn’t the same. An audiobook, read-along book, or YouTube read-aloud doesn’t provide the same personalized, expressive experience as an engaged teacher with a tailor-made lesson. Save the recordings for extensive listening.

• There’s no such thing as “perfect.” Don’t let self-consciousness about pronunciation stop you from speaking English to your students. They need to see you model comfort and confidence in order to develop fluency.