Oral interpretation should be an integral part of a reading program, as it teaches the reading skills while providing students with experiences in literature and opportunities for creative self-expression. Both reading teachers and content area teachers will benefit from an understanding of: the relationship between reading and oral interpretation, the purposes for oral interpretation, the functions of oral reading and silent reading, the occasions for oral reading, the development of the ability to interpret orally, and the instructional implications of oral interpretation. (JM)