Session 5: Teaching Strategies (Part I)

The objectives of this session are:

• To introduce tutor trainees to sight words and how they can be used in the tutorial session*
  
  
• To discuss the importance of developing a meaningful context and teaching skills from this context
  
  
• To introduce tutor trainees to phonics and the basic steps in teaching phonics
  
  
• To familiarize tutor trainees with word patterns and how they can be used to assist learners
  
  
• To discuss strategies for learners to increase their vocabulary

* Reading is a complicated activity that involves performing many tasks at once. However, for this session, we will only be looking at one aspect of reading – decoding. Decoding refers to the act of knowing what the letters are and how they sound. When introducing new vocabulary, it is advisable for learners to be introduced to the written form of the word (as well the oral) since all four skills complement each other. Session 6 looks at reading more in depth and will clarify some of the questions session 5 may prompt.