Embodied Oral Reading to speaking fluency

The KINETIK Method is centered on “embodied” oral reading (EOR). In essence, students are trained to move their upper bodies (hands, arms, heads and torso, augmented by touch) in sync with the rhythm of the text they are reading out loud. Research in several fields, and with learners of all kinds, has established the value (and potential pitfalls of) oral reading. Haptic-embodied oral reading brings to the process the full body in promoting enhanced memory for language and related skill development. (See example below illustrating a common format for a EOR, used in an intermediate EAP class.)

Pronunciation, reading and speaking fluency

In general, commercially available reading programs that include audio models for ESL students to listen to do not deal adequately with prosodics, that is rhythm, stress and intonation. Such audio input is typically based more on word recognition, not designed to lead students to improved speaking fluency. Application of the KINETIK EOR process shows genuine promise in promoting reading fluency as well!

The KINETIK method can be used with or complement standard oral reading technologies or techniques. It does that, in part, by adding annotation to the text that shows learners the rhythm groups and the word in each rhythm group that is stressed. Students are are provided with more natural, rhythmic audio models which they they can also speak along with (track or shadow) in some exercises.

Students are trained in a number of special gestures which they use as they do the oral readings. (That is done with short, 3 minute videos.) Basically, each rhythm group is assigned a gesture with touch on the stressed word. These gestures are easy to learn and execute while speaking. For example, one gesture is similar to tapping the other hand with a pencil on stressed words of rhythm groups.

Progressively, with regular use of EORs, students’ memory for course content, reading fluency, rhythm, stress, intonation, general pronunciation, speaking fluency and, most importantly CONFIDENCE, improve significantly.

The KINETIK EOR process can be applied to any story or excerpt, such as a section of a book. The key notion is that the EOR must be applied to text that is meaningful and memorable, in itself. Providing that context facilitates later recall of both the content and the features of the excerpt that the instructor chose to focus upon whether just the content or specific linguistic targets such as pronunciation.