Interactive Strategic Discussion (ISD) about Literature introduces a discussion-centered approach into the ESL reading curriculum. This method teaches students not only what to discuss (the topic), but also how to discuss (the strategies). As students pack their discussion toolbox with ever more useful strategies, they eagerly engage themselves in discussion all the more. The author proposes some basic principles of implementing, managing, and evaluating small-group discussions within the ESL classroom. Research-based examples of instructional practices illustrate the ways that text-based discussion prepares students for the reading and interpretation of literature. The author also explores how interactive strategic discussion can support language acquisition, promote higher order thinking skills, and enhance high-level reading comprehension. Bring new power to L2 reading instruction with an innovative approach that deepens students comprehension of literature and guides them to apply their acquired reading skills to their own reading. To help ESL teachers put such an instructional approach into action, this book offers lesson plans and in-class handouts.

Fu-Yuan Shen is an assistant professor in the Department of English at National Taitung University, Taiwan. He earned his master's degree in English from National Taiwan University and his PhD in English education from Ohio State University. His current research is in the areas of L2 literacy learning, literature instruction, and critical theory.