Teaching Ideas

Reading Strategies for the TOEIC® Test

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Methodology (cont'd)

Strategy 4: Think about the main point(s)

1. Write "Strategy 4: Think about the main point(s)" underneath Strategy 3
2. Go back to the teacher's model-text
3. Highlight and explain the language features that reveal the main point(s). Show these points as they appear in context as sentences/clauses.
   

   If you are one of the first one hundred buyers to purchase the Smith 7ZX, you will receive a 50% percent discount. Hurry, while the offer still lasts!

4. Guide learners in practicing the strategy with the learners' model-text
5. Go back to the texts which are on the table. Have cards with the main points written down (in abstract point form otherwise learners will simply engage in a matching activity) and include three non-relevant points.
6. Learners have to work together as a group to match the points with the appropriate text.
7. Tell learners that they are finished when they are left with three non-relevant points.
   

   new camera

   50% discount for first 100 buyers

   best movie

   
   
8. In the report-back phase, ask learners questions from Strategy 4 (see Fig. 1) and get them to give you grammatically and syntactically complete spoken replies.

   What is this letter suggesting? - It's suggesting that people buy the new camera in a hurry in order to receive a 50% discount.

Strategy 5: Think about the writer/source

1. Write "Strategy 5: Think about the writer/source" underneath Strategy 4
2. Go back to the teacher's model-text
3. Highlight and explain the language and sociocultural features that provide information about the writer
4. Guide learners in practicing the strategy with the learners' model-text
5. Go back to texts which are on the table. Use the questions from Strategy 5 (see Fig. 1) to get learners to exchange opinions about the writer and the source using a function for exchanging opinions. Record the ideas on the whiteboard so that learners get a spoken and written medium to absorb the information, and to allow for a quick de-brief flash card quiz. If you want to incorporate writing skills, a nominated leaner can write down the opinions.
   
   Question-answer pattern:

   What does the writer expect from the reader? - I think (that) the writer expects the customer to buy the new product. What do you think is the writer's intent?

   Record:
   

   Letters
   Text 1	Text 2	Text 3
   The writer expects the customer to buy the new product

   
   De-brief flash card quiz using the recorded notes from the whiteboard:
   

   The writer expects the customer to buy the product. (Answer: Text 1)

Strategy 6: Think about the audience

1. Write "Strategy 6: Think about the audience" underneath Strategy 5
2. Follow the same methodology as in Strategy 5. Only this time, use the questions from Strategy 6 (see Fig. 1).

Strategy 7: Think about the written expression

1. Write "Strategy 7: Think about the written expression" underneath Strategy 6
2. Go back to the teacher's model-text
3. Highlight and explain the language expression features. Draw a table on the board. Then transfer those features in words onto the table.
   

   Written expression used in letters
   Formal	Informal	Personal	Official
   Company letter head Word processed Formal font (e.g. courier new) Signature Job titles Full block format Bold typed subject

   N.B.: Use your own appropriate headings depending on the authentic text you are exploring.
   
4. Guide learners in practicing the strategy with the learners' model-text
5. Go back to the texts which are on the table. Get learners to think about the expression features. Use question such as:

   How does the layout make you feel? Do you think this is a rich company? Is the product appealing because of the picture?

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