|
Did you know that hundreds of interesting and exciting novels based on, or made into, popular films are available in bookstores? (The ELC has over 100 of these novels.)
Have you read one? Would you like to read one?
Many students have enjoyed reading the novels. Have you? Some students take pleasure in reading a novel silently; reading for pleasure is the aim in itself. Such students may not wish to do an activity associated with the novel.
However, other students may welcome suggestions for activities to do while, or after, silently reading for pleasure. Therefore, to help you appreciate silent reading, here are a few ideas for individual or group activities you can do when you read a novel.
Before selecting a novel, read its back cover to learn what the story is about. This is a good way of gathering information about the novel and to see whether it appeals to you or not.
If you are working in a group, read the first chapter of the novel you have selected and then tell the group what it was about. The group members can ask you questions about the story line and plot so far. Also you can say what you think will happen next, which is a good way of predicting and of developing creative imagination.
Divide up your reading into manageable segments. Plan to read, say, no less than 2 chapters every day. It is a good idea to have achievable minimum reading targets to give you motivation and encouragement.
D) Keep a record of new vocabulary
It is a good idea to keep a note book of new and interesting words or expressions you come across in your reading. It can help to increase your general vocabulary and speed up your reading and comprehension. However, do not use a dictionary to check every new word as this will eventually slow you down and spoil your enjoyment. Try to work out the meaning of new words and expressions from the context. Sometimes you will have to tolerate a certain degree of uncertainty. (See Keys to Better Vocabulary.)
Instead of a notebook, you may want to keep a tape-recorded diary of what you have read. Or read on the tape an oral summary of the chapters / sections / novel. A tape-recorded diary can be a very personal experience.
If you are in a group, discuss what each of you have read and share your experiences and thoughts. Remember - interesting discussions begin when people disagree with each other and have different opinions! Also consider what the author's intentions might have been when writing the novel.
Most of the novels in the ELC have been made into films. The ELC, CILL (the Centre for Independent Language Learning) and the PolyU library have a good collection of films based on novels. Either in your group or individually watch the film that has been made from a book you have read and afterwards talk about how it is different from the novel. Sometimes the film has a different focus from the novel, minor characters become important ones, the story line is changed, new characters are added, other characters are dropped, etc. Discuss which you preferred - the novel or film - and why.
Did you see anything new or different in the novel after seeing the film?
Writing a book review can be a thoughtful and rewarding experience, helping to develop analytical thinking, insight into an author's point of view, and even "passion"! You could write a review on the whole novel, or choose to focus on a particular character or theme. Try to be as thoughtful as you can and to express your own opinions.
Why not write a book review for other students to read? The ELC will happily print interesting ones in its newsletter - or put them on the large whiteboard.
Name:____________________ Group Number: __________Date:________
I/we have selected _______________________________(title) by ____________________
(author) to read. I/we have selected this novel because ______________________
_________________________________________________________________
My/Our reading goal is to read _________(no. of chapters) every____________(duration).
Reading the novel______________________________ (title) by __________ (author)
was___________________________because___________________________
________________________________________________________________.
What I liked most about it was ________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
What I liked least about it was ________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
I would/would not recommend the book to a friend because_________________
________________________________________________________________.
Last revised 15 September 1998
Copyright©1998, English Language Centre, HKPU. All rights reserved.
(If you are working alone, contact us with any questions or comments!)
Introduction