How to make READING COMPREHENSION texts more fun ! Next time you have to work on a reading comprehension text (and let's face it they are often at the beginning of each new unit in your book) try this method: Give each student a blank A4 sheet of paper This exercise is best done with the students sitting in a circle, but could be adapted as and when necessary Put the title of the text on the board and get them to put it on the top of their sheet of paper Tell them to imagine what the text is about and draw a line down the left hand side of the paper - just large enough for vocabulary Ask each student to write 12 words that they think will be in the text according to the title When they have found their words tell them to pass their sheet on to the next person and they will collect the one from the other side They now have to select words from the list and in the right-hand column, write the first paragraph using these words and adding (of course) anything in order to make the paragraph interesting Tell them to cross out the words as they use them They must not forget the title of the text, but will have to adapt each time because of the new words to use When they have finished their paragraph they pass on the sheets and the same as before, take words to make the second paragraph – pass on, take words – write the last paragraph which could be the conclusion to the text They pass on their sheets for the last time and they read what they have in front of them – a text written by people!! Either you, the teacher, could correct the texts and leave them in the classroom for them to see later or get some of them to read “their” text out loud I prefer the latter, even with their mistakes, they love it They are now ready and willing to read the text to find out if it has anything to with theirs! This has worked for years for me (in all levels) and we always have a good laugh because the texts have NOTHING to with the one we are going to read, but it takes the boredom out of reading comprehension