Second-language students face many problems when it comes to reading that can be solved with practice and good teachers.
In the second-language classroom, reading is used not only to show students how the different parts of the language fit together, but also as a way for teachers to test pronunciation and comprehension and to start a class discussion. Reading poses many problems for second-language students, specifically for students who speak languages that use sounds and symbols that are not used in the one they are learning. While the problems are compounded for these students, there are several problems that are common to all second-language students when it comes to reading.
Pronunciation
Unfamiliar sounds and accents complicate reading. For example, the Korean language does not have an F or a V sound, so when Korean speakers learn English, they tend to substitute P and B sounds. Even in languages with similar alphabets, such as Spanish and English, common letters often carry different sounds. Languages get even more complicated when certain letters are grouped together, which changes the usual sound of the individual letters. Using English as an example, the words wrought and rough look like they should have the same sound, but they don't. Many languages pronounce words the way they are spelled, but not all. Practice copying native speakers and learning certain rules are the only solutions.
Fluency and Intonation
Second-language students often have difficulty regulating intonation and fluency as they read aloud. The reader may sound robotic and lifeless because, while he may know pronounce individual words, he can't read them together in a melodic way, as a native speaker would. Quite often, he will start and stop at random places throughout the text, maybe reading a few easy words in a row quickly, then stumbling on larger, more difficult ones. Second-language students concentrate on pronouncing one word at a time and are unable to see the larger picture, so they may not know which words go together or group them with the correct tone. Watching movies and TV in the language being studied can help second-language students grasp this concept.
Practice
To be good at anything, you have to practice -- and reading is no different. The problem is that many people, second-language students and native speakers alike, do not take the time to read. Even many native speakers have a hard time reading out loud. A second-language student can't hope to read well unless he practices. Reading out loud with a native speaker is a good way to practice, as the native speaker can correct mistakes and model proper pronunciation, fluency, and intonation.
Difficult Reading Material
The reading materials that second-language students choose or have chosen for them can be a big problem. Often the materials are unnecessarily complicated, with words and sentences that are above the student's level. Reading material should incorporate the words and grammar students are studying in class in sentences they can understand -- short sentences for beginners, longer sentences for higher levels. Reading materials that are too difficult only serve to frustrate students, decreasing their desire to read and negatively affecting their self-esteem. Also, students may not understand cultural references in the materials, which further complicates reading. If a student studying English as a second language is going to read about the American Revolution, for example, the teacher should explain words and ideas relating to the concept before reading.
Teachers
It's very difficult to learn from someone who doesn't really care if you learn, is not strict enough with the fundamentals or can't pronounce the words properly. This is often the case with second-language teachers. Native teachers that just do it for the money or do not correct the problems in pronunciation are not helping the students. The same is true for non-native speaking second-language teachers who have problems with reading; they pass the problems on to their students. Second-language students must find good, dedicated teachers.
