When students approach a new text, they don’t start from zero. Every learner brings experiences, ideas, and knowledge that can help them make sense of what they read. Tapping into this knowledge before reading makes the process smoother, less intimidating, and much more meaningful.
In this lesson, you’ll explore strategies for helping students activate what they already know and connect it to the text. You’ll see how pre-reading discussions can:
- Build a bridge between learners’ background knowledge and new content
- Encourage prediction and critical thinking
- Provide a springboard for listening and speaking practice
- Boost confidence by showing students they already have tools to understand
Activating knowledge isn’t about testing what students know — it’s about preparing their minds to engage with the text and giving them the confidence to keep going.
