You just need to know how to read a text using linear thinking (the inherent way English presents academic arguments).

If you’re stuck at Band 6.5–7 in IELTS Reading, Matching Headings is the task type you need to relearn in a structured and systematic way.

Misconceptions that need to be clarified:

• Reading the first sentence carefully is not only to identify the topic of the paragraph — more importantly, it helps you understand the logic of the sentences that follow.

• Reading the entire paragraph does not necessarily mean you understand its main idea — translating every single word will only confuse you and waste your time.

• Skimming and scanning only work when you already have sufficient academic thinking skills and academic vocabulary (and the “sufficient” level differs for each band).

• When reading a paragraph, you must understand the meaning of each sentence and its position. Sentences are not placed randomly; there is always a reason why one comes before another.

• The more keywords you underline in the questions, the more confused you become. You only need to identify two types of keywords to locate and choose the correct answer.

• Analyzing sentence structure (simple vs. complex sentences) is extremely important. Key information is often repeated in different ways. You must clearly identify sentence components. I have to reteach this to most of my students — even those with a good foundation — because in lower secondary school (Grades 6–9), students often skim through these familiar grammar points, yet they encounter them every single day.

• The ability to recognize wrong answers is just as important as finding the correct one.

…

The reason I don’t teach these strategies in large classes, but instead work with small groups or mainly mentor 1:1 (three sessions to master Academic Reading techniques), is that each person thinks differently. However, there is only one standard form of academic thinking in English (not Vietnamese).

If I teach large classes, I would need many different ways of explaining the same concept to guide students from different starting points to the same destination. In big classes, learning may seem effective, but it’s difficult to clearly measure each individual’s progress.

📌 1. Spark Curiosity – The Beginning of Every Learning Journey

Curiosity is a child’s natural instinct. Instead of starting with dry lessons, tell them a story — pause at a key moment and ask, “What do you think will happen next?” If they’re unsure, you can hint: “Why don’t you read on to find out?”

However, curiosity works best when children explore topics they genuinely enjoy. Pay attention — do they love dinosaurs, dolls, or space? From there, you can choose content that speaks to their emotions and imagination.

Most importantly: ask questions instead of giving ready-made answers. “Why do you think that character did that?” — it’s questions like this that truly fuel curiosity and independent thinking.

📌 2. Create a New Environment – Small Changes, Big Impact

Chairs, desks, books, pens… these seemingly harmless things can make learning feel forced if they never change. A child’s brain is highly sensitive to its surroundings, and a dull environment can easily lead to stagnant thinking.

Try simple changes like:

Reading on the balcony instead of in the room.

Laying a mat on the floor and reading together like a mini picnic.

Holding a storybook, photo magazine, cookbook, or craft book instead of a notebook.

Reading doesn’t have to feel “serious.” Sometimes a cozy corner with cushions, warm light, and a teddy bear can turn reading into a beloved nightly ritual.

📌 3. Learn Together – Children Learn Best When They’re Not Alone

Children learn not only from books but also from people around them. Companionship can come from

Seeing friends working on something too (e.g., “Look, An is also making a creative notebook!”).

Having an “imaginary buddy” like a teddy bear, doll, or favorite character play the role of storyteller, listener, or fellow explorer.

Kids need to feel they’re not alone on their learning journey. Even if no one is actively studying with them, having a parent nearby — reading their own book — can bring comfort and connection.

📌 4. Create a No-Judgment Zone – Where Creativity and Confidence Grow

One of the biggest barriers to creativity is fear of being judged. When exploration is met with comparisons, criticism, or rigid adult standards, children may feel they’re “wrong.”

Let them read for joy, not for tests or to read faster or pronounce better.

I was amazed when my Helen class read English stories full of new words. Instead of feeling discouraged, they focused on words they knew and used the pictures to guess meanings. By the end, they retold the stories in their own way — even adding new twists. If they had been told they must “understand everything” before reading, those creative moments would never have happened.

📌 5. Don’t Rush Progress – Every Child Has Their Own Pace

A common mistake adults make is saying, “It’s so easy, how can’t you do it?” That’s from the perspective of someone who already knows, not from the child who is still learning.

Not meeting your expectations doesn’t mean a child is incapable — they may simply be in a different growth stage. Like bamboo, which spends five years growing roots before shooting up in just a few months, children have seasons of slow but steady growth, followed by sudden leaps.

Always remember: the goal of learning is to keep children excited and eager to explore — not to meet a timeline you’ve set.

My first reading lesson… was a flop.
Students kept their heads down, some even yawned. I realized I had simply handed them a text and asked them to read and answer questions. No activities, no interaction — of course, they were bored.

That’s when I started asking: What makes a reading lesson truly engaging?
It’s not just about picking an interesting text. It’s about creating activities, understanding reading principles, knowing your students’ reading levels, and designing the right sequence of tasks.

The Teaching Reading resource packs everything I wish I’d known from day one: principles, essential skills, and creative activities like Jigsaw Reading and Reading Puzzles — turning reading time into something students actually look forward to.

✨ Because teaching reading isn’t just helping them understand words — it’s inspiring them to explore the world.