Knowing a second language not only helps children expand their knowledge base and familiarity with the culture, this skill will also be of benefit should they choose to travel later on in life. English is the official language of 52 countries; about one-third of the world's population speaks and understands English to varying degrees. Teaching students to read in a language that is not native to their tongue requires patience and creativity. But with some well-planned lessons, it can be a rewarding experience for everyone.

Plan to introduce subjects and ideas beforehand. Students learn best by reading ideas that they understand and are familiar with. If you plan to read about frogs, bring in a frog, frog stickers, lily pads, or other frog-related items. Students need to know 90 to 95% of the words they read if they are going to comprehend the text.

Engage students in pre-reading activities that will involve them in the ideas. For example, skits, songs and puppet shows are ways to involve the students before sitting down to read. Employ ideas that will be relevant to the planned text.

Involve students by centering the discussions on their own lives and the activities that they may do around home. This will engage the students in learning while keeping themes familiar. You may choose to talk about how they do their dishes at home, certain plants they may have around the house, or their families' structure: grandma, grandpa, baby sister, etc. Follow up the discussion with a book that centers on those same themes.

Predicting aloud what may happen in the book next is another way to engage the student. If a man goes into a grocery store and chooses a tomato, and then makes his way to the checkout stand, what might the students think he will do next?

Review from lessons past. If you have read a book about a zoo and are planning to read from a book about the jungle, you may want to revisit the names of the animals that live at the zoo and how those same animals may also live in the jungle. This technique will bring an idea from the past into a new concept they are yet to learn.

Re-read favorite books. It is encouraging for the students to read something that they already grasped. They will enjoy shouting out the answers or gliding with ease past certain words and ideas that in the past may have caused some issues. When in need of a morale boost, dig out these books and give them a re-read.

Tip: Keep sessions light and short. Students learn best in a fun environment. Speak to students in a clear, calm, slow voice.