Introduction

Teaching English is commonly separated in curriculum statements into spoken language, reading and writing. This book follows that pattern. However, it is important to remember that all the modes are interrelated and that progress in one mode is supported by development in each of the others. Thus, reading comprehension is fundamentally supported by talk: talking about texts. Similarly, writing is deeply connected to reading. Writers learn from the texts they read and the conversations they have about them. One of the important connections in the book is that between the different language modes.