Using Contextual Clues Reading Metacognitive Strategies
At a Glance Students will: ü gain awareness concerning the use of contextual clues üpractice contextual reading		Purpose: Increased awareness and usage of contextual clues Materials: two handouts, Reading Clues and Practice Exercise; and a selected article from a magazine (see step 9 below) Preparation: 10 minutes to photocopy the handouts Time: 60 to 90 minutes
Teacher’s Notes	Procedure Write this example sentence on the board: "Tom decided that he desperately needed the glockum if he were to solve the problem" Ask students what they do if they are reading an English text and do not understand a specific word. Ask students what they do if they are reading a text in their native language and do not understand a specific word. Ask students what 'glockum' means. Once students have established that they don't know what a 'glockum' is, ask them to guess at what it might be. Ask students what part of speech a 'glockum' is (i.e. verb, noun, preposition) Have students explain how they arrived at their guesses. Which clues did they use? Explain the concept of reading in "chunks" i.e. looking at the text surrounding the unknown word for clues. Show them an article from an advanced level magazine (Wired, National Geographic, The Economist etc.) Ask students to identify the probable vocabulary areas that may be used in the example article. Explain the importance of activating vocabulary by first quickly glancing at the text to be read. This idea is very important as the brain will begin to focus on related concepts thus preparing the student for what is to be read. (metacognitive awareness) Point out that by using all of these clues (i.e. "chunking", part of speech, logical deduction, vocabulary activation), students can arrive at a much fuller understanding of difficult texts - even if they do not understand each word Have students divide into small groups and complete worksheet.

Reading Using Contextual Clues Metacognitive Strategies
Teacher’s Notes	Lesson Extension ESL students often insist on understanding each word when reading. Realizing that a text can be understood in a general sense by using contextual clues can go a long way towards helping students cope with increasingly difficult texts. At the same time, the use of contextual clues can also provide a means by which students can rapidly increase their existing vocabulary base. Follow-up / Transfer Activities: 1. Encourage students to use contextual clues in all reading at home, work and school. Ask students regularly if they have been practising these strategies and if they feel the strategies are helping them to become better readers of English.	Additional Resources See Teaching Metacognition.