Having more prior knowledge generally aids comprehension. There are many aspects to prior knowledge, including knowledge of the world, cultural knowledge, subject-matter knowledge and linguistic knowledge. A reader’s interest in a subject matter will also influence the level of prior knowledge. All of these factors are important to different degrees, depending on the reading task.
A reader’s knowledge of the world depends on lived experience. This is different in different countries, regions and cultures. Reading tasks and reading instruction should be sensitive to the types of prior knowledge that are needed for the reader to understand a text.
Practical applications
A reader’s knowledge of the world depends on lived experience. This is different in different countries, regions and cultures. Reading tasks and reading instruction should be sensitive to the types of prior knowledge that are needed for the reader to understand a text.
Practical applications
- When choosing books, it is important to consider the students’ interests, as well as the subject matter of the text.
- In the classroom, teachers can focus on words and concepts that may be unfamiliar. This is especially important for nonnative speakers.
- Discussing new words and concepts with students before reading a text is generally helpful. It helps to activate prior knowledge and improve comprehension.
- Asking students to tell everything they know about a topic is a useful way to begin to get students to activate their prior knowledge. They should then begin to think about what they don’t know. After reading, they should summarize what they have learned about the topic.
