Building a Library

Why teach reading in the World Language Classroom?

Literacy, in any language, has many benefits and is a skill that we as educators try to develop in students from the time they enter school. In a world language class, literacy can foster connections, empower communities, celebrate the world, and offer more professional and personal opportunities for students. Additionally, teachers in the world language classroom can teach literacy skills that students may be lacking in other classes. According to an article by Brigid M. Burke an associate professor of Education and Human Development at Bowling Green State University, “World language teachers have the ability to teach students another language while also improving their knowledge and skills in their first language.” So, while students may be lacking in other areas such as English Language Arts, gaining interest in reading in the World Language Classroom, can help reading ability and positively influence English classes as well.

Why have a class library?

According to a 2010 study, to succeed in developing reading proficiency students must possess:

1. A very large recognition vocabulary

2. A well-developed awareness of discourse (and genre) structure in a wide range of texts

3. The strategic resources to interpret (and use) complex and challenging texts for a variety of purposes

4. Extensive exposure to texts in the world language over long periods of time and with a variety of texts

5. The motivation to engage, persist, and achieve success with more and more challenging texts

A classroom library, which students can access on their own time, or during designated reading times, would provide them with the resources necessary to develop reading proficiency.

For my beginner library, I have chosen: children’s books in German for beginning level readers, English translations of German books (such as the Never Ending Story) to encourage interest in culture and reading these texts in German as well.

To help me build my classroom library, please visit my Amazon Wish List:

For more information on my source material, please read this excellent article by Dr. Brigid Burke.