What is explicit instruction in reading?

Explicit instruction in reading refers to a structured approach where teachers directly teach specific skills and strategies to students. This method involves clearly demonstrating and modeling what students are expected to learn, providing them with guided practice, and offering feedback to ensure comprehension and mastery of the material.

This approach is effective because it breaks down complex skills into manageable parts, allowing students to understand the "how" and "why" behind reading strategies. This can include skills like decoding words, understanding vocabulary, and comprehending texts. Moreover, explicit instruction often incorporates systematic sequencing, ensuring that students build on previously learned skills progressively.

In contrast, indirect teaching methods, student-led learning, and discussions, while valuable in their own right, do not represent the focused and clear-cut approach that characterizes explicit instruction. Indirect methods may leave certain skills and concepts unaddressed, and student-led or discussion-driven approaches might not provide the necessary structure for all learners, especially those who require more guidance in developing essential reading skills. Thus, the emphasis on direct teaching in explicit instruction sets it apart as an essential strategy in effective reading instruction.