Al cospetto di theuth. Understanding reading tra note teoriche e tecniche didattiche

Abstract

Reading Latins as Latin is a slogan which is a showcase of sheer all-Anglosaxon attitude towards teaching of classical languages. In conformity with this traditional orientation, several scholars have been interested in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) studies: SLA, born as academic branch of Applied Linguistics in Seventies, now is a ever-increasingly innovative discipline which deals with investigation of tacit mechanisms of human mind in learning a second or foreign language (L2) and has got pedagogical implications which can be useful for modern language as well as classical ones instructors. As far as reading and comprehension are concerned, four activities can be used in Latin and Greek language teaching: jigsaw of sentences, multiple choice questions, cloze and consciousness-raising. After a short underpinnings of theoretical principles of these activities, examples are proposed in order to maximize understanding reading, regardless of methodologies (traditional, Ørberg, reading method).