Stephen D. KrashenCríticas

Strong support for free voluntary reading in school; the more one reads, the better reader AND writer one becomes.

I got this book, since it's the book Steve Kaufmann talks about as the basis of his ideas of language learning. I found the book really interesting, expanding on the ideas I had already heard from some of Steve's YouTube videos. I think intuitively this has been always my approach. Although I think output like speaking and writing could come to language learning a little bit earlier than in this method. But I think the idea that you don't get corrected on everything reduces anxiety and adds to learning. I used to write my diary in English and no one ever saw this and I made a lot of mistakes, but I was also using the language and eventually I got better.

So, mainly the book confirmed a lot what I empirically have found true (isn't that the confirmation bias...). However, my knowledge is based on what has worked for me, while Dr. Krashen has actually quantitative data to back his opinion up. While based on academic research, the book is very easy and interesting read. Would recommend for any language learners.

When I first met Dr. Krashen in the Washington D.C. railroad station, we hatched out the idea for his first book: The Power of Reading. That book was a huge boost for teacher librarians who sought evidence that large amounts of reading, free voluntary reading, and the reader’s choice of that reading was extremely powerful in helping young readers succeed in the quest for literacy. In this, his third book on the topic, he adds more and convincing research about supplying youg readers with choice and giving them time to read what they find compelling. It still makes sense. The research reported here includes new studies, and several have been conducted with this co-authors in China. The argument for large collections of books children and teens want to read, the power of storytelling, the power of choice and other important factors boost literacy even in the face of the powerful downward push of poverty. Using the marginal notes idea that we used in his first book, you can give this book to administrators, reading teachers, and parents who can quickly scan for interesting ideas and then dip into the main text of the book beside the quote for more information. It is extremely important to read this book and merge it into the ideas of the new AASL Standards to make your case for keeping reading a powerful program element alongside inquiry. An essential read!

The book gives insights from research how to develop a reading society. It discuss the role of parents, teachers, librarians and libraries in building a reading culture among children/students.

In this must-read book, Krashen has assembled a collection of his recent journal articles about FVR from a variety of journals teacher librarians would not normally see crossing their desks. It’s purpose is to supplement and extend the second edition of The Power of Reading published a few years ago. He covers myths, FVR for English learners or foreign language learners, whether Accelerated Reader makes any difference, if reading rewards help, whether reading scores are on the decline, and other topics. Our suggestion. Get an adult book club reading and discussing this book chapter by chapter. Keep the pressure on. And remember that reading now comes in many many forms and that developing reading pleasure is still the most power force in reading skill, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and writing. The tradition of teacher librarians to promote the love of reading in every format, genre, fiction, and even more nonfiction is still alive and well.

Including contributions from well-known professionals in the field, this book focuses exclusively on the development of communicative competence in a second language. It begins with several theoretical approaches to the topic and then examines specific components of developing language ability: sociolinguistic, discourse, and strategic competence. A final section discusses practical approaches to developing language ability in the classroom. This text is appropriate for use in TESOL methodology, sociolinguistic and second language acquisition courses.

Excellent book that provides data on the advantages of FVR (free voluntary reading) programs to literacy development. Useful information to reference when advocating school libraries. Quick read even with all the research data.

An overview of the field of second language instruction, its methodologies and practices as defined by one of the
preimminent voices in ESL teaching.