In brief

“Constructing the meaning of texts is the foundation of Competency 2. It is a crucial first step since it prepares the groundwork for the reinvestment task that will follow. Students need sufficient time to construct the meaning of texts either individually and/or with others, so that they come to an initial understanding of the texts provided, clarify and deepen their understanding. They will construct the meaning of text by carrying out very guided tasks and using explicit models. Students also learn to compare what is presented in texts with their own reality, and to express appreciation of texts. 

The amount of time spent on constructing the meaning of texts depends on how familiar students are with the topic and text genre, whether the texts provided and the reinvestment task are simple or complex, the nature of the context (LES or ES), and the amount of time that will need to be devoted to teaching one or certain strategies.

Sources: PFEQ, Elementary - Cycle 2 and 3 ESL program, p. 203, 357 and MEES - Competency 2 FAQ+ Winter 2016 p.5

Contexts for successful learning

  • give opportunities to develop appropriate compensatory and learning strategies they will gradually use autonomously: skimming, scanning, predicting, inferencing, etc.;
  • give opportunities to interact with peers and the teacher;
  • provide texts adapted to students level, familiar and interesting;
  • read with support from teacher and peers;
  • have moments to constructs meaning with others (C1);
  • suggest meaningful and authentic tasks;
  • give easy access to resources.

Consult the Strategies in the ESL Classroom handbook if needed.

Last modified: Friday, 14 June 2024, 1:30 PM