Why Teach Reading Fluency?
It is necessary to teach reading fluency explicitly because many children don t just pick it up. It is crucial that children become fluent, primarily because of fluency s (probably reciprocal) relationship with comprehension, but also because fluent readers tend to have more positive attitudes toward reading and a more positive concept of themselves as readers (Rasinski & Padak, 2000). As a consequence, fluent readers are more likely to read more and learn more, and become even more fluent. In addition, fluent readers may enjoy rather than dread reading aloud to an audience. There are many situations, such as reading out reports and delivering presentations in the workplace, in which reading aloud is necessary. Furthermore, fluent readers are able to provide good models of reading to others and play a part in helping others learn to read. How Is Fluency Usually Taught? Some 20 years ago, Allington (1983) argued that fluency was a neglected reading goal. To some extent, this seems still
