What role do teachers play in reciprocal teaching?

• A. They serve as the only voice in discussions
• B. They assist students in leading discussions
• C. They evaluate spelling skills directly
• D. They create tests for comprehension

Answer: (B)

In reciprocal teaching, the role of teachers is to guide and support students as they take on more responsibility in their learning processes, particularly in discussions about texts. By assisting students in leading discussions, teachers help facilitate a collaborative learning environment. This method encourages students to become active participants in their learning, promoting skills such as questioning, summarizing, predicting, and clarifying, which are essential for comprehension.

In this setting, the teacher initially models the strategies and then gradually shifts the responsibility to the students, allowing them to take turns leading the discussions. This approach fosters not only comprehension of the material but also encourages student independence and critical thinking skills. The teacher's involvement as a facilitator rather than a sole authority strengthens the learning experience and enhances student engagement.