Course Contents

The course outline Semester Outline UNIT 1: Reading Concepts The unit will focus on major concepts of reading and literacy, and their significance. This unit will also deal with the concept of child development with special reference to oral language development, and consider the major milestones and processes in reading development. This unit plays a significant role in giving sufficient cognitive knowledge about the process of learning to read, and the interplay between oral language development and reading/literacy. Week # Topics/themes 1  Definitions and concept of reading  Significance of reading  Child Development with reference to reading abilities 2  Child development, with particular emphasis on oral language development  Learning Process with young Learners; major milestones in the learning-to-read process  Reading strategies and skills needed to become effective readers UNIT 2: Perspectives of Reading It is essential to have some historical grounding in reading development. This unit will raise awareness of the introduction of reading as a subject for academic purposes and how various movements worked in different societies. Prospective teachers will be able to compare selected approaches to literacy instruction, and challenges to literacy acquisition posed by child populations in different contexts. In light of these explorations, prospective teachers will identify reading strategies appropriate to varying Pakistani public-school contexts. Week # Topics/themes 3  Major reading movements: introduction to cognitive, socio-cultural and critical perspectives of reading development.  Eye movement in reading (Louis Emile Javal)  Slow reading movement ( Meg Williams)  Bottom-up and Top-down processing views of reading instruction 3 of 5 The course outline has been approved for Pilot testing by NCRC on November 23-24, 2015. UNIT 3: The Development of Literacy Skills In this unit, we will review milestones of literacy acquisition and the processes by which learners attain these milestones. Issues will be related to the nature of literacy in and out of school, the role of individual versus social dynamics in literacy learning, and the factors underlying individual differences in the rate and level of literacy growth. Week # Topics/themes 5  Pre-school years: (Early Childhood Education) Aspects of oral language and communication practices that lay a groundwork for emerging literacy  Early Elementary years: How learners “break the code” of reading and writing, and skills that children develop to foster reading development. 6  Late elementary/middle school years: children’s growing awareness of and production of, text structure, approaches to fostering comprehension and use of what one reads UNIT 4: Reading in different Languages Reading in different languages is important, and common among public school learners in Pakistani public schools. There are different principles, phonemes and structure of sentences and how it effects at different level in reading. This unit provides sufficient knowledge about the universal reading development process and how it can be connected with other languages. Week # Topics/themes 7  Universals of reading development  Transfer effects of L1 on L2 reading  Difference in orthography, phonology and morphology 8  Reading transfer facilitation; similarities between two languages  Implications for reading in Urdu, Sindhi, Pashtu, Balochi, Punjabi, and English 4 of 5 The course outline has been approved for Pilot testing by NCRC on November 23-24, 2015. UNIT 5: Factors Influencing Reading Development There are many factors which influence development of reading ability. This unit will provide foundational knowledge of common reading difficulties among children learning to read. Prospective teachers will be able to discuss common reading challenges, and identify instructional practices that prevent and mediate such challenges, and enhance learning. Week # Topics/themes 9  Influence of Socio Economic Factors on Reading  Influence of Family Background Factors on Reading 10  Influence of Community Factors on Reading Cultural orientation  School’s Influence on Reading  Influence of Developmental / Disability Factors UNIT 6: Motivation for Reading Motivation strategies are a tool in enhancing learner’s interest in the particular task. So, this unit will provide basic knowledge about motivation theories related to reading, and how these theories can be applied in our teaching learning process. Prospective teachers will also be able to understand the connection and relationship of reading & motivation and how it different for L1, L2. Week # Topics/themes 11  Theories of motivation in relation to early grade reading  Classroom practices that relate to reading motivation 12  Motivation in the L1 and L2 reading classroom  Assessing Motivation of students reading UNIT 7: Challenges in Reading Awareness of present reading challenges at the national and international level is essential for prospective teachers. This unit provides an introduction to international reading standards which help to assess the learners in practice. An understanding of national and international challenges in reading will learners broaden their vision and engage learners in brainstorming how these 5 of 5 The course outline has been approved for Pilot testing by NCRC on November 23-24, 2015. challenges can be addressed and overcome in public schools. Week # Topics/themes 13  International reading standards  International reading challenges 14  National reading challenges  Challenges of reading at school and how to address them?  Challenges of teaching reading UNIT 8: Developing Early Reading Programs This unit will give appropriate information about the selection and development process of curriculum and instruction in reading. This unit will explore key principles of early reading programs, and highlight strategies that can make learning to read engaging and motivating for early grade learners. This knowledge will play a significant role in maintaining quality reading instruction. Week # Topics/themes 15  Foundations of Learning to Read  Principles of Early Reading Programs 16  Principles of Early Reading Programs (continued)  Effective Reading Instruction: Key Components *_Practical work: 1. Please refer to the course guide under the heading “home assignment for week-1” 2. Please refer to the course guide under the heading “home assignment for week-3”

Course Synopsis

Foundations of Reading aims to provide prospective teachers with the foundational knowledge,skills and attitude needed to support early grade learners in becoming readers.The first course of the reading discipline,Foundations of Reading provides prospective teacher with the opportunity to explore definitions of reading and literacy, major models used to conceptualize and study literacy development with an emphasis on major milestone in literacy acquisition.The course will explore what may affect literacy and language development , including individual differences among learners ,cultural and social issues.The course also emphasis the oral language in early literacy development.Prospective teachers will learn about motivation theories related to reading as well as challenges faced by children who are learning to read specially in languages different than tose spoken at home ( L1)

Course Learning Outcomes

After the studying this course the prospective teachers will be able to: • Explain major concepts of reading and their significance • Demonstrate understanding of the major milestones and processes in literacy development • Apply knowledge about child development,with special focus on oral language development, to reading instruction processes • Related theories and models of reading with their instructional methods • Plan evidence -based motivational strategies for children to become effective readers • Summarize the range of reading and writing difficulties among young learners • Discuss national challenges in reading, and plan instructional strategies to address these challenges. .