Reading the AT way: A flexible approach to effective reading strategies

At Action Tutoring, we know strong reading skills lay the foundation for academic success. That’s why reading plays such a central role in our tutoring sessions. 

Reading the AT way is designed to bring consistency to our sessions. It ensures  pupils get the best possible support – while still allowing tutors the flexibility to adapt to their students’ needs. Discover what this approach involves, below. 

Modelling excellent reading

First things first: tutors should always model great reading, especially in the early sessions. This means reading passages aloud using the guided prompts provided in the workbooks. This does more than just showcase fluent reading – it helps pupils:

• Hear and absorb natural pacing and pronunciation.
• Engage in discussions and interact with the text.
• Build comprehension through strategic pauses and questions.

Why this approach works

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) notes:

“A fluent reading style can support comprehension because pupils’ limited cognitive resources are freed from focusing on word recognition and can be redirected towards comprehending the text.”

This is why we focus on modelling excellent reading and using structured techniques. It’s all so pupils can focus on understanding rather than just decoding words. To be able to progress with fluency, pupils need this to be modelled. 

Creating a stress-free environment

Reading, even in small groups, can be anxiety-inducing for pupils. Tutors should aim to create a stress-free environment, as this can really help pupils make gains in English.

Tutors should avoid:

• Numbering paragraphs for students to read out.
• Telling a pupil that they are going to read aloud without prior warning.
• Allowing pupils to pick ‘who reads next.’

A relaxed and supportive atmosphere will encourage pupils to engage more confidently with reading tasks. This is why our approach really benefits our pupils. Pupils enter the session knowing that reading aloud to a group of their peers, won’t be sprung on them. 

Mixing it up: Different reading techniques

Once pupils have had exposure to modelled reading, a tutor can choose to use different strategies to further engage their pupil groups. Take a look at the three different techniques below

1. Echo
   Students repeat sections that have been read aloud. This could be a tricky sentence, a question, or a whole paragraph. A technique like this is particularly useful because pupils get to mimic the excellent reading they just heard. Overall, this helps them improve fluency and confidence.
   
2. Paired
   Perfect for groups with mixed reading abilities, paired reading encourages students to take turns reading aloud. They can switch after every sentence or paragraph, or even reread sections their partner has just tackled. This keeps pupils engaged and allows for collaborative learning.
   
3. Timed
   For more fluent readers, why not introduce a little challenge? Ask them to see how much of a passage they can read in a set time (like one minute). Then perhaps compare progress across sessions.
   
   This isn’t about rushing -it’s about helping pupils develop stamina and confidence, which are essential skills for reading assessments.

Encouraging pupil participation

If you have one or more fluent readers, you may wish to share the reading amongst the group. For example, the tutor could model one paragraph, and the students could then take turns reading the following paragraphs.

However, a fluent reader is a reader who:

• Can read accurately.
• Can read at an appropriate speed without great effort.
• Can read with appropriate stress and intonation.

You will only truly know if this is the case after spending at least two or three sessions with your group. A tutor should think carefully about their pupils before adopting this approach.

Reading the AT way: In summary

Reading the AT way is our research-led practice that allows both pupils and tutors to thrive. Fluency here is the pathway to comprehending a text and soaking in the vocabulary on offer. By developing strong reading habits, pupils can engage more deeply with texts, enhance their analytical skills, and build confidence in their responses.

Extend our reach

We would love to introduce Reading the AT way to more pupils across England. If you have contacts in a school please let us know by referring a school, below.