What is the primary benefit of using comprehension strategies in reading instruction?

Using comprehension strategies in reading instruction primarily equips students with essential tools that enable them to understand and interact with texts in a meaningful way. These strategies support critical thinking and help students make connections with the material, enhancing their overall comprehension. By fostering skills like predicting, questioning, summarizing, and clarifying, comprehension strategies ensure that students can approach texts with a variety of lenses, making the reading experience more engaging and insightful. This deeper engagement with text is crucial for developing lifelong reading habits and critical literacy skills.

In contrast, while some strategies might incidentally aid in vocabulary acquisition or simplify text content, their main function is not focused on these aspects. Additionally, faster reading speeds may be a byproduct of effective reading practice, but the primary goal of comprehension strategies is not to increase speed but to enhance understanding and interaction with the material.