Reading CI happens in my classroom absolutely like listening CI. The comments about reading below refer to both readings based on stories and the reading of novels. There is a process that we follow. It is so reassuring to have that process, so that we can relax about providing content all the time, which drives teachers nuts. Of course, this is all my opinion and describes what I do in my reading classes only.
Doesn’t it makes sense that, in the same way that we don’t interrupt for more than just a few seconds to explain some grammar in stories, we do the same in the translation choral reading we do as step 2 below toward the beginning of a reading class. This is when we translate after they read the story or novel quietly first.
Only after that uninterrupted CI reading can we move into Read and Discuss. The translation phase should be like the pure uninterrupted input like we do in stories. It creates the din of reading as it were. Here is the reading sequence I use (this is actually Reading Option A with a few steps removed for clarity and simplicity. Reading Option A as it is found in the category by that name is too complicated with too many steps and I never really do any of the steps but the ones below):
1. Silent reading, decoding of the first page of the three page prepared text (usually a generic version of five classes’ stories). (optional)
2. Choral translation using laser pointer (stories) or books (novels). (required)
3. Read – in L2 now – and Discuss the text in L2. (required)
4. Discussion of grammar in L1 (3 and 4 may interweave) (required)
5. Sacred reading of the text – read it to them with meaning, dramatic tone, artistry, in a quiet, sacred kind of setting. One teacher read it with such drama that the kids told her she should have been an actress. I generally do this step without the text in front of the students. They are really pleased when they can understand it. (highly recommended)
6. Translation quiz – pick any paragraph from the reading and have the students translate it into English for a quick and easy grade. OR Quick Quiz made up by Quiz Writer during class (required)
So all that to say one simple thing – don’t interrupt reading step 2. Create the din. Let the translation go on uninterrupted. Say all the cool stuff that you want to in steps 3 and 4 during R and D.