Description of the Book and How It Promotes the Relationship between Oral Language and Literacy Development
The selected book to be shared with the group of high school learners is ‘’Alchemist’’ by Paulo Coelho. The book is a good example of a text that promotes the relationship between oral language and literacy development for high scholars who fall in the age group of between 14 and 18 years. In the context of high school students, literacy development is about expanding their literacy ability. Stone et al . (2016) asserted that with regards to oral language development, the students must show a mastery of the use of expository text and social language skills. Therefore, there exists a close relationship between oral language and literacy development. Both are dependent on each other, as once the student has shown the ability to appreciate oral language in every context, they also increase or expand their literacy development. The book ‘’Alchemist’’ exemplifies how stories can be used to develop a strong relationship between oral language and literacy development.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
First, the book utilizes strong discussion prompts that enable the students to develop evaluation skills. The evaluation skills will subsequently ensure that the students are aware of the themes and claims presented in the text. The author of the book has utilized a number of symbols such as the alchemy, the oasis, and the Pyramids of Egypt, all which ensure that the students develop evaluation skills which are important in not only strengthening their language prowess but improving their literacy levels. The book is endowed with many characters that play a critical role in influencing the central themes of the book. Through their various direct quotations, the students will acquire conversation and dialogue skills which will thereafter improve their literacy levels through the analysis and critical thinking of the ideas that are presented. The book ‘’Alchemist’’ also is based on a thorough discussion that improves authentic talk and use of activities that improve the use of strong language all which improve the oral language and a subsequent literary expansion such as when the author describes the pursuit of personal legend.
Literacy Strategies
According to Byrnes and Wasik (2012), literacy strategies ensure that the learners are in a position to make sense of what they read. Effective literacy strategies ensure that these learners comprehend what they read and thus can make sound decisions about them. The book ‘’Alchemist’’ uses three important literacy strategies that are critical in literacy development that include visualizing, inferring, and synthesis. With regards to visualizing, it involves the idea of making mental pictures during the reading process. Through visualization, the readers are placed in a position where they can understand the plot of the story in a deeper manner. In the book ‘'Alchemist,'' the author has improved visualization through narration and the use of symbols such as the oasis, the alchemy, Santiago's sheep, and the Emerald Tablet all which create a mental picture in readers' minds hence making them evaluate the deeper meaning intended by the author. Once the readers can critically appreciate the use of symbols and narration, their literacy development widens hence improving their overall understanding.
The book also utilizes the literacy strategy referred to as inferring. It involves giving the reader a chance to make deductions based on their understandings. Through the author's explanation of Santiago's pursuit of a personal legend, the reader is likely able to make deductions that the author highlights the achievement of personal goals depicted by his character. Inferences can also be made using symbols such as oasis in a desert that mean a source of hope for people who decide to follow their dreams. The third literacy strategy that improves literacy development catered for in the book is synthesis. It involves merging ideas in the course of the readings to enhance understanding. It also involves the interconnection of new information which enables the reader to make predictions as the text continues. In his narration, the author of ‘'Alchemist'' outlines a chronology of how Santiago pursues his personal legend in a manner that the ready connects and can develop clues of how the character ends up achieving (Muraleedharan, 2012).
How Literacy Strategies Help Learners with Language Deficiencies
The strategies described including visualization, inferring, and synthesis is not only important in expanding the literacy development but also ensuring that learners with language deficiencies are supported. Mostly, learners with language deficiencies exhibit one or more of these challenges including the inability to listen and speak, poor recognition of alphabets and phonics, and illiteracy as described by Hammer et al. (2014). Therefore, learning strategies especially described above can offer a firm foundation on which language deficiencies are sorted. First, visualization can be an important asset for this group of learners. The use of cues and symbols will enhance language development because it offers an alternative and an easier way through which language can be properly understood. Through creating mental pictures, the learners with language problems will develop the memory of the words hence improving their literacy levels.
Synthesis of information is another critical strategy that if properly mastered would enable the learners to develop coherence and organization in their speech and writing development. The synthesis of information is important connecting information that will enable them to acquire knowledge, think critically, and improve their reading among others. Lastly, inferring knowledge from texts is another strategy that could prove vital for individuals with language deficiency. Through making deductions, the learner can make sense of the ideas presented in the text which will play a central role in their mastery of language and expansion of literacy. They will also be in a position to form their opinions, develop facts, and invent a diverse point of view other than that read.
References
Byrnes, J. P., & Wasik, B. A. (2012). Language and literacy development: What educators need to know . Guilford Press.
Hammer, C. S., Hoff, E., Uchikoshi, Y., Gillanders, C., Castro, D. C., & Sandilos, L. E. (2014). The language and literacy development of young dual language learners: A critical review. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 29 (4), 715-733.
Muraleedharan, M. (2012). Multi-disciplinary dimensions in Paulo Coelho’s Novel the Alchemist. Journal of Literature, Culture and Media Studies , 3 (5&6).
Stone, C. A., Silliman, E. R., Ehren, B. J., & Wallach, G. P. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of language and literacy: Development and disorders . Guilford Publications.
