The Missouri Reader Vol. 37, Issue 2 | Page 59

Regarding the teachers who do read aloud to their students, as shown in Table 2, the most common
reason they read aloud to their students is to enhance understanding/comprehension, with 71% of the
teachers stating this reason. Fifty percent of the teachers reported they read aloud to model
word/vocabulary pronunciation, followed by 45% who said they read aloud to expose students to texts
they might not read otherwise, and 42% who said they read aloud to build interest in a topic or
introduce a topic. The least common reason (7%) was for class management.

Table 2. Teachers’ Reasons for Reading Aloud to Students
____________________________________________________________________
Responses
My students enjoy it

Number of Teachers
15

Percentage of Teachers
39%

To build interest in a
topic or to introduce a
topic

16

42%

To enhance understanding/
comprehension

27

71%

To increase/improve
vocabulary

10

26%

To model word/
vocabulary pronunciation

19

50%

To model fluent reading

14

36%

To promote a love of
literature

13

34%

To expose students to
texts they may not read
otherwise

17

45%

To improve listening
skills

12

34%

To increase general
knowledge

16

42%

To manage the student/
class

3

7%

To reinforce/
emphasize content

15

39%

________________________________________________________________________

Regarding the teachers who do not read aloud, as shown in Table 3, the most common response
(41%) was that they do not feel it is appropriate for the subject they teach. Of the respondents, 18%
©The Missouri Reader, 37 (2) p.59