Reading for Meaning

Prof.Eddie Williams

If you are ‘barking at these prints’ then you are reading it aloud but this also means that you may not understand the meaning. Reading is the process of perceiving and understanding the meaning of written language. The purposes of your reading may be skimming-to get information about the text; scanning-to get information from the text; intensive- learning or using the language; extensive –pleasure or interest . These are the various reading styles presented by Professor Eddie Williams at the British Council English Language Forum. He spoke on ‘Enjoy English Reading –How Teachers Can Help’ to an audience of 250 teachers of English language at Corinthia Hotel, Khartoum. It was an interesting, interactive and learning workshop for the Sudanese teachers.

Prof. Eddie Williams is a retired professor of applied linguistics from the University of Reading and University of Bangor. His research has focused upon the teaching and assessing of reading in English as a second language, and the relationship between language, education and development. He currently works on language-related projects for the British Council, mainly in Africa.

English is now read by about 2 billion people all over the world. There is a need amid the younger people in Sudan to learn English language.

The British Council in Sudan is working with the Ministry of Education and key organizations to improve access to quality English Language learning for all trainers, teachers and students. British Council has been working with institutions like University of Khartoum, Khartoum State Ministry of Health, Bank of Sudan, Ibn Sina Hospital to provide books and periodicals suited to their needs. It is now easy to order books, periodicals and journals from the UK with the British Council in Sudanese Pounds.