Claudia Schembri has been awarded a Master of Education in Language Literacies and Dyslexia from the University of Birmingham. Her thesis explored the role of oral reading fluency in documents characterising educational services in Malta, teachers’ perceptions of oral reading fluency and techniques used to enhance the development of this construct in early readers.

Her study was based on document analysis in relation to local literacy policies, teacher questionnaires and interviews together with classroom observations.

Reading fluency has been identified as one of the main five components of reading development, with each component contributing to the development of efficient readers.

Oral reading fluency was mainly associated with speed, phonics, expression and comprehension. Promotion of reading fluency was associated with reading practice, while time limitations and lack of home support were recognised as limiting factors.

Schembri’s study could help to bridge the gap between teachers’ and policymakers’ understanding of oral reading fluency to enhance best practice in the delivery of instruction in relation to reading. It may also help increase teachers’ awareness of how personal feelings and attitudes influence classroom performance.

Schembri is a speech and language pathologist at the Ministry of Health and an associate member of the British Dyslexia Association.

Her master’s degree was fully supported by the Malta Government Scholarship Scheme.

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