Working with reading fiction aloud in middle school : A study of teachers' work with reading fiction aloud and their attitude to reading aloud

The aim of the study is to elucidate how teachers in middle school work with reading literature aloud and their attitudes to their working methods. The research questions concern how the teachers work before, during and after the reading aloud, and also the advantages the teachers find in their method and the obstacles they discover in the work of reading aloud. A qualitative method was used for the study, applying semi-structured interviews. The selection consists of two teachers who have worked in the profession for 23–24 years (Teachers Andersson and Bergström) and two who have worked as teachers for 3–4 years (Teachers Cederqvist and Davidsson). Based on the results, it is possible to say that the teachers work in several different ways before, during and after the reading aloud. The teachers find several advantages in their method and fewer obstacles to working with reading aloud. The teachers who have worked for 23–24 years have a similar attitude to their method. They work to a large extent with En läsande klass and feel that the reading aloud session is above all a cosy time for the class. The teachers who have worked for 3–4 years likewise work in a similar way and show many differences in method and attitude from the teachers who have worked for 23–24 years. These teachers use several practical exercises and think that their varied working method motivates pupils to learn.