Top-Down Model
The top-down model means that readers have to rely on previous information in order to predict the general idea of the text, either through looking at pictures or the title (Brown, 2001). Indeed, it is the teacher’s role to guide students to find detailed information, from general to specific. Thus, the students have to predict, then check the text to ensure whether the prediction is correct, then confirm and correct.
This approach works well with proficient and skilful learners, but not with unskilled ones who lack the ability of critical thinking,such as finding out either the meaning of words from the text or deducing a general idea of the text from the title (Eskey,1988)
This approach works well with proficient and skilful learners, but not with unskilled ones who lack the ability of critical thinking,such as finding out either the meaning of words from the text or deducing a general idea of the text from the title (Eskey,1988)
- Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy (2nd edition). New York: Longman Pearson Education.
- Eskey, D. (1988). Holding in the bottom: An interactive approach to the language problems of second language readers. In P. Carrell, J. Devine, & D. Eskey (Eds.), Interactive approaches to second language reading (pp. 93-100). New York: Cambridge University Press.
- The pictures are taken from :http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/components-of-an-effective-esl-curriculum%E2%80%94insights-from-former-tesol-president