For many students, courses in reading and language acquisition are taken in order to advance their understanding and skills in essay writing. Many of these students exhibit trouble grasping certain aspects of essay writing necessary for successful writing. Additionally, their vocabulary is not at the level it should be for a college environment. For foreign students studying in the United States, these courses assist them to gain a foundation of reading and writing that helps them better understand and speak the English language.
Students taking these courses will develop their vocabularies and learn to identify implied and literal main ideas, as well as supporting ideas needed for short essays. Students also analyze, paraphrase, summarize and read short, simple expository passages for the same purposes. The role of language development as it pertains to literacy learning helps to round out these types of courses.
Furthermore, students will gain an understanding of the cognitive foundations of reading comprehension and their influence on methods of instruction and assessment. Students will improve their reading comprehension at the level of the short essay in order to master other courses in English, as well as numerous courses that require essays. The interrelationship between language learning and the reading process will also be learned.
Reading and language acquisition courses are perfect for foreign students trying to learn the English language. Studies have shown that extensive reading assists profoundly in the acquisition and mastering of a language. This is also applicable to U.S. students who wish to learn a foreign language. However, the courses are not relegated to that group of students, as anyone who is struggling with the advanced level of writing and vocabulary needed to succeed at the college level. Furthermore, these courses are also offered to students in the field of education. In-depth knowledge of language development theories and brain research, as well as their implications on literacy development, help education majors design exercises that future students can use in language acquisition and reading development.