Delivered by Associate Professor Mary Masterson, this European Commission webinar explored practical, research-informed approaches to strengthening reading fluency and comprehension across the curriculum. The session highlighted the importance of moving beyond the accurate decoding of words to support learners in reading with confidence, expression and understanding.
Drawing on Vygotsky’s concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, the webinar examined how carefully structured guidance, modelling and peer collaboration can help pupils develop as readers. It focused on cognitive, metacognitive and social strategies, including summarising, questioning, making connections with prior knowledge and monitoring understanding while reading.
The webinar also encouraged teachers to consider an important question: when the words flow, does the meaning follow? Its central message was that fluency and comprehension are closely connected, but meaningful reading requires explicit support, purposeful discussion and opportunities for learners to think actively about what they read.
The webinar was delivered on 25 April 2025 through the European School Education Platform and reached teachers across Europe.
Reading Fluency and Comprehension: Practical Approaches for Teachers
How can we help learners move beyond simply decoding words to reading with confidence, expression and understanding?
This webinar explored how teachers can support pupils in becoming more fluent, confident and thoughtful readers. It examined the relationship between reading fluency and comprehension, highlighting that accurate reading is only one part of the process. Learners also need opportunities to develop expression, pace, confidence and a deeper understanding of meaning.
The session focused on practical classroom approaches, including teacher modelling, guided reading, questioning, summarising, activating prior knowledge and encouraging pupils to monitor their own understanding. It also highlighted the value of discussion, peer learning and structured support in helping learners move from decoding words to engaging meaningfully with texts.
The webinar was publicised on Facebook by the official eTwinning Europe account.
https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/learn/webinars/european-commission-webinar-reading-fluency-and-comprehension-key-insights-and-approaches-teachers?utm_source=chatgpt.com
It was also shared by national eTwinning accounts, including:
https://www.facebook.com/ETwinningeurope/posts/-improve-reading-fluency-comprehension-with-insights-from-expert-mary-masterson-/1090080406499126/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.facebook.com/etwinningmalta/photos/%EF%B8%8F-save-the-date-on-25-april-1600-cest-join-the-european-school-education-platfor/1235217355275288/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.facebook.com/ETwinningMoldova/posts/1252177383582371/?utm_source=chatgpt.com