What is the science of reading? How can it improve our practice so that our newcomers become better readers? Effective language teaching is part art, and part pedagogy. Reading is not a natural process, but more like a code. While the science of reading has evolved, one thing remains the same: newcomers benefit from clear instruction in phonological awareness, building fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language. Let’s discuss what this looks like and the tools we can use.
The Importance of Foundational Literacy
Before newcomers can enjoy success in reading, we need them to master foundational literacy. Some ELs read or recognize their home languages from right to left; English functions from left to right. Learning directionality is crucial for understanding written English. Students must then learn the alphabet. To read the alphabet, students must be able to isolate, identify, and manipulate sounds in written letters. From there, we teach them to recognize letter sound patterns as words and connect spoken words to meaning. In Get Ready!, newcomers in grades K-12 complete a pre-literacy unit that presents these concepts and multiple opportunities for practice to reinforce what is learned.
Phonics & Phonological Awareness
Research and experience tell us that newcomers learn best when phonics and phonological awareness are taught systematically and explicitly. Successful readers use letter-sound patterns to read. Students need to learn how to recognize and manipulate those patterns within words. In Get Ready!, newcomers have explicit phonics lessons in every unit. Lessons teach sounds, sound-spelling patterns, and decoding rooted in academic themes. Evidence suggests that decodable texts help students practice letter-sound combinations, which allow them to progress to complex and more engaging texts. Get Ready has decodable readers for newcomers at every age. Boost is the only standards-aligned adaptive and personalized literacy program based on the science of reading. Boost provides systematic, explicit instruction of phonological awareness skills and practice.
Vocabulary
The science of reading also shows that students benefit from high-quality, print-rich materials that provide many opportunities to interact with language. We read-aloud, model, unpack content-area vocabulary words, and build students’ recognition of shared morphemes (e.g,. root words, affixes). Explicit and implicit vocabulary instruction improves reading comprehension, especially when students have multiple opportunities to see and use the new words in context. Get Ready! frontloads vocabulary, grammar, and phonics using audio, interactive video, and text in every unit. Language activities involve all four domains, presenting survival English before progressing to academic vocabulary. The approach encourages students to make schematic connections over time.
Fluency
Get Ready! supports fluency by featuring multiple readings across content areas for teachers to read aloud. Many activities also chunk readings so students can echo read and practice with a partner. Newcomers need support to build fluency, since they are still developing phonetic knowledge, building vocabulary, and learning syntax. When we teach ELs to connect print words to sound and meaning, they read more fluently. Newcomers then use this knowledge to transfer what they know to new words, and read texts with more accuracy over time.
Comprehension
The science of reading suggests that reading comprehension begins with read-alouds and scaffolded texts. We teach students metacognitive strategies like setting a purpose, checking for meaning, making inferences, summarizing, and focusing on relevant text structures. Get Ready! recognizes that this step can be challenging in newcomer English classes. Reading must be active, expose students to various genres, and require purpose. ELs bring their experiences and background into reading, so we want them to communicate with their peers about reading to deepen understanding. This is crucial in content-area lessons, so students can read more accurately, master new concepts, and feel motivated to read. Use graphic organizers, checklists, and reading strategies to help newcomers ask and answer questions about reading. In Boost, students complete individualized mini-lessons with readings broken into smaller strands and progression levels. This allows teachers to provide tailored intervention while supporting reading practice and instruction.
Oral Language
Oral language skills combine all of the above. Once students know how different sounds in spoken language connect to letters, they can decipher words. To do that, we activate their background knowledge and develop their vocabulary. ELs need to build receptive and expressive language skills to reach proficiency. Get Ready!understands that the best way to cultivate this over time is to provide multiple, repeated opportunities to practice the language they learn in engaging, academic conversations with listening and speaking. For additional practice, Boost provides individualized oral activities supported by video lessons, classroom activities, and partner speaking games.
By Katalyn Vidal Loveless Ed.M.
References:
Education Week.(October 2, 2019). How Do Kids Learn to Read? What the Science Says. Retrieved on May 1, 2025, from https://www.edweek.org/products/spotlight/spotlight-on-science-of-reading
NWEA. (n.d.). The science of reading and balanced literacy: What you need to know. Retrieved on May 1, 2025, from https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/resource/the-science-of-reading-and-balanced-literacy-what-you-need-to-know/
Trujillo, J. L., (2022). Get Ready! Sail: Language, Literacy, Content Teacher’s Edition. Vista Higher Learning.
Trujillo, J. L. (2022). Get Ready! Soar: Language, Literacy, Content Teacher’s Edition. Vista Higher Learning.
Trujillo, J. L., & Raducanu, A. L. (2021). Get Ready! Language, Literacy, Content Grades 9-12 Teacher’s Edition. Vista Higher Learning.
Vista Higher Learning. (n.d.). Learn about Boost. Avanza Boost. Retrieved [March 23, 2025], from https://learn.vistahigherlearning.com/avanza-boost/learn-about-boost.html
Connect to Vista Higher Learning at our next conference or online.
By Katalyn Vidal Loveless Ed.M.
Also read:
Building Strong Readers: Practical Tips for Applying the Science of Reading
Teaching Newcomers and Beginning Proficiency English Learners: Where to Start
