The effects of oral retelling on improving reading comprehension in first grade second language learners

This study explores a teaching strategy that effectively scaffolds literature and reading instruction. Oral retellings involve students in listening to quality literature, discussing story structure, and retelling the story in their own words. Research has found that oral retellings improve reading comprehension in both proficient and nonproficient readers. This study inquires whether oral retellings are an effective strategy for improving the reading comprehension of second language learners. Participants were coached and guided through the oral retelling process for a time period of four weeks. All students were at the intermediate or early advanced stage of English language acquisition. The results of the study show that participants in the oral retelling group significantly improved their reading comprehension. Students participating in oral retellings also benefited by gaining confidence while speaking in public, increasing their English vocabulary, and becoming personally involved in literature. Key Words: Literature, Literacy Scaffold, Oral Language Development, Reading Comprehension, Retelling, Second Language Learners, Story Structur