Pause for Thought: controversies in the teaching of reading

The publication of Martin Turner's controversial study on reading levels in primary schools has generated considerable public disquiet and debate. This paper considers some of the arguments for and against the ‘apprenticeship’ approach to the teaching of reading which Turner excoriates and shows that the position is considerably more complex than is suggested by his work. We consider the case for an eclectic investigation of this key area of learning, incorporating a variety of methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative.