remedial reading: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Moderate in educational contexts; low in general everyday language.
UK/rɪˈmiːdiəl ˈriːdɪŋ/US/rɪˈmidiəl ˈridɪŋ/

Formal, technical; primarily used in academic, educational, and professional environments.

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Quick answer

What does “remedial reading” mean?

Instructional programs or activities aimed at improving reading skills in individuals who are below expected proficiency levels.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Instructional programs or activities aimed at improving reading skills in individuals who are below expected proficiency levels.

Any corrective or supplementary reading instruction designed to address deficiencies in reading ability, often used in educational, clinical, or therapeutic settings.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning; both varieties use the term similarly in educational discourse.

Connotations

Similar connotations, often associated with special education, learning support, or academic intervention.

Frequency

Equally common in both British and American English within educational and professional contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “remedial reading” in a Sentence

undergo remedial readingprovide remedial readingrequire remedial readingimplement remedial reading

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
remedial reading programremedial reading instructionremedial reading class
medium
remedial reading skillsremedial reading materialsremedial reading teacher
weak
remedial reading helpremedial reading supportremedial reading course

Examples

Examples of “remedial reading” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • Schools often remediate reading gaps through structured programmes.

American English

  • Teachers remediate reading deficiencies using personalised strategies.

adjective

British English

  • The local council funds remedial reading sessions for primary school children.

American English

  • She was placed in a remedial reading group to boost her comprehension.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used; may appear in corporate training for employee literacy programs or professional development.

Academic

Frequently used in educational research, pedagogy, and school administration to describe support programs and interventions.

Everyday

Uncommon; typically used by parents, teachers, or in discussions about child education and learning difficulties.

Technical

Common in special education, linguistics, educational psychology, and speech therapy for specific instructional methods.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “remedial reading”

Strong

reading remediationreading interventiontargeted reading instruction

Neutral

corrective readingintervention readingsupplementary reading

Weak

extra reading helpreading supportassisted reading

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “remedial reading”

advanced readingproficient readingregular reading instructionindependent reading

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “remedial reading”

  • Using 'remedial reading' interchangeably with 'special education' without specifying the reading focus.
  • Confusing it with 'developmental reading', which is for normal skill progression rather than correction.
  • Mispronouncing 'remedial' as /riːˈmiːdiəl/ instead of /rɪˈmiːdiəl/ or /rɪˈmidiəl/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Remedial reading is specialised instruction designed to help individuals, typically students, improve their reading skills when they are below expected levels, focusing on areas like fluency, comprehension, or decoding.

Primarily school-aged children who struggle with reading, but it can also include adults with literacy challenges, often identified through assessments or teacher recommendations.

Remedial reading is more intensive, targeted, and often involves smaller groups or one-on-one instruction to address specific gaps, whereas regular classes follow a standard curriculum for general skill development.

Yes, it can be adapted for non-native speakers, but it may overlap with ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction, focusing on language acquisition alongside reading skills.

Instructional programs or activities aimed at improving reading skills in individuals who are below expected proficiency levels.

Remedial reading is usually formal, technical; primarily used in academic, educational, and professional environments. in register.

Remedial reading: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈmiːdiəl ˈriːdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈmidiəl ˈridɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'remedy' in 'remedial' – it acts as a remedy to heal or fix poor reading skills.

Conceptual Metaphor

READING IS A SKILL THAT CAN BE HEALED OR CORRECTED THROUGH INTERVENTION.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Students with low literacy scores are often enrolled in to improve their abilities.
Multiple Choice

What is the main goal of remedial reading?