A Rewarding Day in My Reading Class: Guiding Esther on Her Literacy Journey
Today’s reading class was another fulfilling experience, one of those moments that remind me why I’m so passionate about teaching literacy. Esther, one of my dedicated learners, took the spotlight today as I asked her to read aloud while I listened attentively, offering corrections and encouragement along the way.
Esther has been attending my reading classes for a few months now, and her progress has been remarkable. When she first started, she struggled with basic word recognition and often hesitated when faced with unfamiliar terms. But today, as she picked up the short passage I handed her, I could see the determination in her eyes. She took a deep breath and began reading, her voice steady and more confident than before.
The Power of Patience and Encouragement
As Esther read, I listened carefully, noting both her improvements and the areas where she still needed support. There were moments when she stumbled over longer words, pausing to sound them out syllable by syllable. Instead of immediately jumping in, I gave her time to work through the word herself—a crucial part of building her confidence. When she finally got it right, the smile on her face was priceless.
There were a few mispronunciations, and at times, her pacing was a bit rushed, causing her to skip smaller words like "the" or "and." Gently, I stopped her and asked her to reread the sentence, emphasizing the importance of every word in conveying meaning. She nodded, took a moment, and tried again—this time more deliberately.
Celebrating Progress
What stood out most today was Esther’s improved comprehension. After finishing the passage, I asked her a few questions to ensure she understood what she had read. To my delight, she summarized the key points accurately and even shared her thoughts on the story. This was a huge leap from our earlier sessions, where she often focused so much on decoding words that the meaning sometimes got lost.
I made sure to praise her efforts, pointing out how much smoother her reading had become and how well she was grasping the material. Positive reinforcement is essential in literacy education—it builds confidence and motivates learners to keep pushing forward.
The Joy of Teaching Literacy
Teaching someone to read is more than just helping them recognize letters and words; it’s about opening doors to new worlds, empowering them with knowledge, and boosting their self-esteem. Watching Esther grow from a hesitant reader to someone who now tackles texts with increasing assurance is incredibly rewarding.
Today’s session reinforced my belief that with patience, consistency, and the right support, anyone can improve their reading skills. Esther’s journey is a testament to that, and I’m honored to be part of it. I can’t wait to see how much further she’ll go in the coming weeks.
For anyone considering volunteering as a reading tutor or supporting literacy programs, I encourage you to take that step. The impact is immeasurable—one word, one sentence, and one confident reader at a time.