Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of echo reading in teaching?

1. To encourage independent reading

2. To develop fluency through choral participation

3. To assess student comprehension

4. To improve vocabulary acquisition

The correct answer is: To develop fluency through choral participation

The primary goal of echo reading is to develop fluency through choral participation. In this instructional strategy, the teacher reads a passage aloud, modeling fluent reading that students then imitate. This method emphasizes pacing, expression, and intonation in reading. Students engage with the text collaboratively, which allows them to practice their reading skills while receiving immediate feedback from their peers and the instructor. Since echo reading involves repetition and listening, it helps to build confidence and accuracy, both of which are essential components of reading fluency. While other options, such as encouraging independent reading or assessing comprehension, are important aspects of literacy instruction, they are not the main focus of echo reading. Instead, the emphasis is squarely on enhancing students’ ability to read smoothly and expressively through participation and repetition. Vocabulary acquisition is also a vital component of literacy but is not the specific aim of echo reading, which situates itself more around fluency development.