There are some pre reading strategies that can be used to help students in their comprehension of a text before they dive into it. They can help them to be more prepared for what they are about to read in terms of the ideas, language and vocabulary that they will find in the text.
It has been estimated that students need to know at least 90% of the words that will be used in a text to comprehend it so ensuring they are familiar with the vocabulary they are likely to encounter is key to their understanding. Teachers should spend 10 to 15 minutes building word, language style and background knowledge with their students to prepare them. In addition, helping them to become familiar with concepts and ideas they will find in the text can also significantly improve their comprehension of the text.