1. Decoding: This is the ability to convert written symbols (letters) into their corresponding speech sounds. It involves recognizing and associating letters with the sounds they represent.
2. Phonological Awareness: Phonological awareness is the understanding and manipulation of the sound structure of language, including phonemic awareness (ability to identify and manipulate phonemes) and phonological decoding (ability to decode written words into their corresponding sounds).
3. Sight Word Recognition: Sight words are words that can be instantly recognized without sounding them out. These are words that are frequently used and stored in the brain as whole units.
4. Vocabulary: Reading comprehension relies on a good vocabulary. Readers need to know the meanings of words to understand what they are reading. Vocabulary knowledge is built over time through reading, listening, and exposure to new words.
5. Comprehension: This is the ability to extract and understand the meaning from written text. It involves several sub-skills, such as:
- Literal Comprehension: Understanding the basic information and facts presented in the text.
- Inferential Comprehension: Drawing inferences and conclusions based on the text.
- Critical Comprehension: Evaluating the information and making judgments about it.
6. Fluency: Fluency refers to the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with appropriate pacing. It involves the coordination of decoding, comprehension, and prosody (the natural flow and intonation of speech).
7. Prior Knowledge: Reading also requires activating prior knowledge and experiences to make connections with new information. Relating new information to what is already known enhances comprehension.
8. Metacognition: This refers to the ability to reflect on one's own reading process and comprehension. Skilled readers are able to monitor their understanding, identify areas of difficulty, and adjust their reading strategies accordingly.
9. Attention and Focus: Sustained attention and focus are essential for effective reading. Readers need to concentrate on the text and minimize distractions to comprehend it well.
10. Critical Thinking: Reading involves critical thinking skills, such as evaluating the validity and reliability of information, identifying biases, and forming reasoned judgments based on the text.
It's important to note that reading skills develop gradually over time with practice, exposure to a variety of texts, and effective instruction.