Fluency

“Fluency” means “flowing,” it also means “fast.” There is a general, though not perfect, correlation between how fast you can comprehend a text and how well you can comprehend it. A person who reads fast has “automated” many of the underlying processes involved in reading, and can, therefore, devote conscious attention to textual meaning rather than to the processes themselves. - E.D. Hirsch, Jr

Based on current research perspectives, a common definition of reading fluency is “the ability to read rapidly with ease and accuracy, and to read with appropriate expression and phrasing
- William Grabe

==== Flukey found that reading does not flow evenly over the text, as the term “fluency” suggests, but rather ebbs and flows much as a river does. Speed responded to the same text features as the reader’s oral miscues did. Flukey suggests we should be using the term “flow” rather than fluency. ====

Fast for fast's sake: If you don't understand what you are reading ti doesn't matter how quickly and smoothly you get through the text. Struggling and reluctant readers read to get to the finish line. - Maryanne Pearce.

This PowerPoint is the work of Maryanne Pearce who works as a literacy consultant with the Western Region. Thanks to Maryanne for allowing her work to be posted here.