Procedure:
Each HLT unit (e.g. a weekly double lesson) begins with a sequence of reading out loud. The students sit comfortably while the instructors read from a book to the class for at least 15 minutes. The main purpose is to enjoy and to immerse themselves into a story.
Remarks:
- If a book is read aloud (not as individual short stories), it is particularly important that the ritual extend itself over a longer period of time and without interruptions, as the students might otherwise lose the story line.
- HLT classes are often simultaneously frequented by students from different classes. In order to meet the needs of a heterogeneous group, the text read aloud must be chosen so that is most widely appropriate for all age groups. Alternatives: short texts may be more appropriate for the lower, middle, and upper levels.
- During the read aloud sequence, the class must be quiet. Students may draw something, but nothing should be permitted that could make noise and distract.
Variants:
- Students can take part in deciding on a text, based on a selection, previously prepared by the teacher. Students may, of course, also bring a text to class for reading aloud.
- It must not always be the instructor who reads the books or stories; students may also perform this task. It is important, however, that reading aloud by students is previously practiced intensively. To that end, students should be given a week’s time to practice reading at home. (See also the support for one’s own reading aloud on page 38).
- The text that is being read out loud is always recorded by tape recorder or other media (dictaphone, cell phone, computer). The created audiobook may also be checked out; copies might be lent to other classes. Variant: the older students read and record a book for younger students on a recording device. See also the teaching suggestion 10 “expressive reading out loud for others”.