Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive meaning (reading comprehension). Reading is a means of language acquisition, communication, and of sharing information and ideas. Like all languages, it is a complex interaction between the text and the reader which is shaped by the reader’s prior knowledge, experiences, attitude, and language community which can affect their ability to read a text.
The reading process requires continuous practice, development, and refinement. In addition, fluency—the ability to read quickly, accurately, and with proper expression—is an important goal of reading instruction and difficult for many students to achieve. Struggling readers often have difficulty with some or all of the following: phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words), phonics (the relationship between letters and sounds), fluency (smoothness and speed of reading), vocabulary (knowledge of words), or comprehension (ability to understand what is read). Some students may also have difficulty with background knowledge (information they already know that helps them understand what they are reading) or motivation (wanting to read).