Reading class should include both language instruction and reading instruction, but the instruction focus will be different with students of different English proficiency. Even at the advanced level, if students still have language difficulties, teaching reading cannot be a mere task of reading instruction. This study is an action research conducted at Shandong Normal University in China. Through a preliminary investigation problems were identified. Some students did not have an appropriate aim in learning Advanced Reading. Vocabulary and background knowledge caused major difficulties for reading comprehension. They obviously lack the awareness of reading strategies. In order to solve these problems, action was taken in teaching with a focus on training the use of reading strategies. At the end of the ten weeks’ training, data were collected and analyzed. The results show that the training has achieved positive effects.
Keywords: Advanced reading, Chinese EFL learners, Reading strategies, Strategy training