What does the term 'fluency' refer to in reading?

The term 'fluency' in reading encompasses the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. This aspect of reading is critical because fluency not only involves recognizing words and reading them quickly but also entails conveying meaning through appropriate intonation, pacing, and emotion. When readers are fluent, they can focus more on comprehension rather than decoding individual words, which often leads to a deeper understanding of the text.

Fluency is vital for reading development as it bridges the gap between basic decoding skills and reading comprehension, allowing students to engage more thoughtfully with the material. This multifaceted nature of fluency distinguishes it from other abilities such as merely reading slowly or reading aloud with no errors, which do not necessarily reflect a reader's overall proficiency or understanding.