How to Reduce Reading Anxiety: 6 Strategies for Confident Readers [EP. 59] Artwork

Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

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Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

How to Reduce Reading Anxiety: 6 Strategies for Confident Readers [EP. 59]

August 19, 2025 • Carolyn Wahl - Middle School ELA • Episode 59

In this episode, we are talking about reading anxiety, how to recognize it, why it holds students back, and six practical reading strategies you can start teaching right away to help move students past it. You’ll hear ideas for creating a safe, supportive classroom environment, giving students concrete steps to try when they get stuck, and building their stamina and confidence with challenging texts. These strategies are designed to reduce reading anxiety, support struggling readers, and make reading more accessible and successful for every student.

Whether you’re working with students who have missed foundational skills due to learning disruptions or those who simply lack the confidence to engage with more complex texts, these strategies provide an easy access point for every reader. They’ll help your students take ownership of their learning, know exactly what to do when they hit a roadblock, and see reading as something they can do.