Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Editorial Team
“Studying is crucial because it ______ us get better in many areas. Also, to make _____ of things around us, learning about _____ is important.”
Can you fluently read what’s written above? By just reading the sentence, did you feel a sense of confidence as to how you read that so fluently, even though the sentence had many blanks? Well, this is the advantage that this learning strategy provides an individual with. Basically, in layman’s words, when we see a passage with missing words, our brain tries to fill in the gaps to create a complete and coherent picture.
Often used in exams to help a student with reading comprehension, Cloze reading is a simple and effective technique that helps learners to look and think for missing information in order to make complete sense of the passage helping with reading and comprehending. Hence, to apply it and use it more confidently, this blog will illustrate the many advantages of the reading strategy that can help you make a choice better.
How can cloze reading be used to solidify learning?
From providing extra space to choosing between reading in mind and reading out aloud, whenever we opt for anything new, we carefully balance the pros and cons to understand if the method would actually work. Hence, here are some factors that can be considered before employing cloze reading, as the points can make sure that the method is being used efficiently and optimally.
1. Improve reading comprehension
Research[1] has proved students who employed cloze reading improved their reading comprehension more than those who did not. This is most likely because cloze reading demands students to actively connect with the text by considering the content of the passage and determining which words best fit the context.
2. Focus on important context
Cloze reading has been found to be especially beneficial for children with learning impairments as it helps them concentrate on the keywords and concepts in the texts, improving their overall understanding and retention of the material.
3. Help in language learning
Cloze reading can also help with language learning since it helps learners concentrate on key vocabulary and grammar structures in a text. Students can have a better understanding of the meaning and usage of these words and structures in context by completing the cloze assignment.
Cloze reading has been found to be effective in strengthening learning for both native and non-native English speakers, as demonstrated in research by Wahdaniah. It is a widely used strategy for teaching English as a second language.
4. Retain more information
In another study[2], the effects of close reading on good and poor readers were examined. The results showed that fifth-grade students who struggled with reading retained more information after reading a close reading passage than after reading a typical chapter.
Furthermore, poor readers in fifth grade demonstrated greater retention of information than good readers in third grade, both immediately after reading and one week later. These findings suggest that cloze reading can be an effective tool for improving reading comprehension and strengthening learning, particularly for students who struggle with reading.
Overall, Cloze reading proved to be an excellent approach for boosting reading comprehension and strengthening learning.
Power of cloze reading: Benefits explored
Besides the above-mentioned advantages, cloze reading is a highly effective technique that can help students advance their linguistic abilities. Some of the benefits include:
- Improves language skills and comprehension through context-based word choices
- Enhances critical thinking and metalinguistic abilities
- Customizable for specific topics and grade levels, allowing for targeted vocabulary and language assessment
- Provides practice in writing and aids in memorization of new terms
- Encourages active engagement and deep understanding of the material.
Overall, students can use fun and effective cloze reading exercises and strategies to build a strong grip on the subject. It can be used by students to comprehend and fill in the blanks in a passage using appropriate words from a word bank and apply them to customized subjects or topics for students of any grade level.
Things to take care of while employing close reading
Cloze reading has several drawbacks like any other method of teaching, some of them include difficulty understanding the material due to unfamiliar vocabulary, lack of in-depth feedback, difficulty evaluating student comprehension, and frustration for some students. It may not be suitable for all texts or learners, particularly those that are complex or dense. To improvise these challenges here are a few tips to help:
- Instead of relying only on a single method, incorporate cloze reading into your overall teaching or learning strategy. This could contribute to giving your kids a more diverse learning experience.
- Pick carefully which texts you use for cloze reading. Select passages with a decent amount of blanks and at a reading level that is appropriate for your students (too many blanks can make the activity overwhelming).
- Encourage learners to complete cloze reading tasks in pairs or small groups. This can improve the experience of the exercise and enable students to support one another as they learn the topic.
- You may quickly and easily create cloze reading exercises based on your chosen material using a variety of internet resources.
- In addition to cloze reading, use various methods to assess students’ understanding. This could take the form of conversations, writing tasks, or tests that emphasize a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Conclusion
Many of us wonder how can we help students be more fluent in reading. Well, cloze reading method has been shown to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. It can also be particularly effective for students with learning impairments, as it helps them focus on the most important words and ideas in a text.
Cloze reading has also been found to be helpful for language learners, as it allows them to focus on key vocabulary and grammar structures. Additionally, it has been shown to be effective for both native and non-native English speakers and can be customized for different grade levels and topics. However, it may be challenging when the missing information is not directly related to the context clues provided. Overall, cloze reading can be a useful tool for strengthening learning.
References
- W. (n.d.). THE USE OF CLOZE TEST IN INCREASING THE STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION.
- Dakin, C. (n.d.). The Effects of Comprehension Through Close Reading.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn