Print-sound regularities are more important than print-meaning regularities in the initial stages of learning to read: Response to Bowers & Bowers (2018)

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1501-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rastle ◽  
J S H Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
First Year ◽  
Writing System ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
Artificial Language Learning ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Stages Of Learning ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
The Relationship

We previously reported an artificial language learning study designed to compare methods of reading instruction that emphasise learning the relationship between spelling and sound versus learning the relationship between spelling and meaning. Behavioural and neural data supported emphasis on spelling-sound knowledge, and we therefore advocated use of phonics in the initial stages of learning to read. Bowers and Bowers argue that these conclusions are not justified because we (a) mischaracterised the English writing system and (b) mischaracterised the meaning-based instruction used in schools. In this article, we respond to the first point by showing that the novel words used previously were a good approximation to the types of written words that children are exposed to in the first year of reading instruction. We respond to the second point by showing that while enhancements to meaning-based instruction can assist pupils to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words, these methods actually disadvantage long-term learning of those words. We conclude by suggesting that reading instruction should be based on an understanding of the writing system, properly characterised across the trajectory of learning. This means emphasis on spelling-sound regularities in the initial stage of learning to read and increasing emphasis on spelling-meaning regularities as children gain greater experience with text.

scholarly journals The importance of correctly characterising the English spelling system when devising and evaluating methods of reading instruction: Comment on Taylor, Davis, and Rastle (2017)

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1497-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S Bowers ◽  
Peter N Bowers
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Artificial Language ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Artificial Language Learning ◽  
Mistaken Assumption ◽  
Basic And Applied Research ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
Evaluating Methods

Taylor, Davis, and Rastle employed an artificial language learning paradigm to compare phonics and meaning-based approaches to reading instruction. Adults were taught consonant, vowel, and consonant (CVC) words composed of novel letters when the mappings between letters and sounds were completely systematic and the mappings between letters and meaning were completely arbitrary. At test, performance on naming tasks was better following training that emphasised the phonological rather than the semantic mappings, whereas performance on semantic tasks was similar in the two conditions. The authors concluded that these findings support phonics for early reading instruction in English. However, in our view, these conclusions are not justified given that the artificial language mischaracterised both the phonological and semantic mappings in English. Furthermore, the way participants studied the arbitrary letter-meaning correspondences bears little relation to meaning-based strategies used in schools. To compare phonics with meaning-based instruction it must be determined whether phonics is better than alternative forms of instruction that fully exploit the regularities within the semantic route. This is rarely assessed because of a widespread and mistaken assumption that underpins so much basic and applied research, namely, that the main function of spellings is to represent sounds.

Scaffolds for Learning to Read in an Inclusion Classroom

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine R. Silliman ◽  
Ruth Bahr ◽  
Jill Beasman ◽  
Louise C. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Skill Learning ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Emergent Reading ◽  
Reading Groups ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Inclusion Classroom ◽  
Language Learning Disability

Purpose: This article describes a study on the scaffolding of learning to read in a primary-level, continuous-progress, inclusion classroom that stressed a critical thinking curriculum and employed a collaborative teaching model. Two emergent reading groups were the focus of study—one group that was taught by a general educator and the other by a special educator. The primary purposes were to discern the teachers’ discourse patterns in order to define whether scaffolding sequences were more directive or more supportive and the degree to which these sequences represented differentiated instruction for children with a language learning disability (LLD). Method: Two students with an LLD and two younger, typically developing peers were videotaped in their emergent reading groups during an 8-week period. The distribution, types, and functions of teacher scaffolding sequences were examined. Results: Both team members primarily used directive scaffolding sequences, suggesting that the assistance provided to children emphasized only direct instruction (skill learning) and not analytical thinking concerning phonemegrapheme relationships (strategy learning). Distribution of scaffolding sequence types directed to the four students indicated that the two children with an LLD were receiving reading instruction that was undifferentiated from the two typically developing, younger children. Clinical Implications: In order for children with an LLD to benefit from inclusion, explicit, systematic, and intensive instruction in phonological awareness and spelling-sound relationships should be implemented within the context of multilevel instruction that balances skill- and strategy-based learning.

Conceptual Reasoning in Reading: A Complex Seriation of Meaning

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
Alan J. Watson ◽  
Kenneth E. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Developmental Change ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Student Responses ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
Conceptual Reasoning ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

A cognitive developmental view of learning to read was tested with 100 Year 4 children by examining the relationship of conceptual reasoning (multiple seriation and perceptual regulations), oral language (vocabulary and grammatic prediction) and reading (word recognition and comprehension). Regression analysis showed that multiple seriation and perceptual regulations, though related, are distinct in their contributions to the variance in reading. Backward regression indicated that reasoning contributed to the variance in reading independently of the influence of oral language. Qualitative aspects of student responses suggest ways in which reading involves the reasoning tasks studied. The findings, by suggesting the importance of non-language mental structuring activity for children's reading, indicate that language learning explanations of reading may not be sufficient. The study calls for longitudinal follow-up to examine the dynamic of developmental change over the extended period needed for learning to read.

scholarly journals The relationship between self-efficacy and reading proficiency of first-year students: An exploratory study

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi A.N.Y. Boakye
Keyword(s):  
Reading Instruction ◽  
South African ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Academic Literacy ◽  
Reading Proficiency ◽  
First Year ◽  
Tertiary Institution ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Affective Factors ◽  
The Relationship

Self-efficacy, which is the belief about one’s ability to perform a task successfully, has been widely acknowledged as important in learning. This affective factor, though not explicitly evident, has been said to play an important role in academic performance. However, its role in reading development has not been widely investigated. To determine the relationship between self-efficacy and reading proficiency, a study was conducted with first-year students in a South African tertiary institution. Students’ self-efficacy levels were elicited through a questionnaire and their reading proficiency was obtained through the Test of Academic Literacy levels (TALL), which essentially assesses reading proficiency. An analysis of variance showed a robust relationship between reading self-efficacy and reading proficiency for this cohort of students. Regression analysis conducted with other affective factors showed self-efficacy as the best predictor of students’ reading proficiency. Results are discussed as they relate to previous research and recommendations are made to include the development of self-efficacy in reading instruction.

The Relationship of Eyemovement Measures to Psychomotor Skills and other Elemental Skills Involved in Learning to Read

1972 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
R. G. Stennett ◽  
P. C. Smythe ◽  
June Pinkney ◽  
Ada Fairbairn
Keyword(s):  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Beginning Reading ◽  
Psychomotor Skills ◽  
Psychomotor Tests ◽  
Learning To Read ◽  
Key Skills ◽  
Good Reading ◽  
Beginning Reading Instruction ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The results of the three studies reported indicate that a measure of simple oculomotor skill, relatively uncomplicated by cognitive and motivational factors, can be obtained by photographing Ss' eyemovements as they read digits with a set for speed. This simple oculomotor skill is apparently well developed in students who are beginning reading instruction. Simple psychomotor tests probably cannot be used as substitutes for direct eyemovement measures and neither such tests nor measures of simple oculomotor skill relate very well to several measures of the elemental sub-skills involved in learning to read. Efficient eyemovement behavior during reading is primarily a result rather than a cause of good reading. Studies which attempt to isolate the key skills explaining the variability in children's success in beginning reading can, therefore, safely ignore measures of eyemovement.

scholarly journals The Impact of Metamemory on the EFL Students` Achievement at Taif University

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Nasrah Mahmoud Ismaiel
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
First Year University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the current research is to scrutinize the relationship between metamemory and EFL learners` achievement. The participants were 250 first year university students who were chosen from a large sample of the preparatory year Science and Humanities streams at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The objective of the research is twofold: (a) to assess whether metamemory can predict English language skills achievement (listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and (b) to assess if there exist notable discrepancies between male and female students and the different academic streams (the science stream and the humanities stream) on the metamemory factors. Students` metamemory was measured by the Metamemory questionnaire (SMSQ) of Tonkovic and Vranic (2011). The results of this study show that metamemory is a good predictor of the EFL students` language learning skills achievement. It also indicates that there are differences between male and female students on the metamemory factors in favor of females. Furthermore, the findings reaffirm that there are differences between the academic streams, in favor of the science stream.  

scholarly journals NILAI-NILAI KEHIDUPAN DALAM NOVEL DILAN, DIA ADALAH DILANKU TAHUN 1990 DAN IMPLEMENTASINYA PADA PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INDONESIA

MABASAN ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-150
Author(s):  
Farida Fitriani ◽  
Ani Endriani
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Core ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Stages Of Learning ◽  
Bahasa Indonesia

 The purpose of this study is to describe values of the life in the novel of “Dilan, Dia Adalah Dilanku Tahun 1990” and its implementation in Indonesian language learning at MAN 1 Lombok. The type of research used is qualitative method. The data are collected in the study throughreading method by tapping and note-taking techniques. Data analysis technique uses semiotic reading model, namely heuristic and hermeneutic readings. The validity of the data in this study is tsted by using triangulation techniques by applying the intrarater and interrater principles.The values of life in the novel of “Dilan, dia adalah Dilanku Tahun 1990” is social, democracy and love valueamong teenagers in that time. The values of life that can be modeled  are the positive values, while the negative ones can be used as learning to avoid or not fall into things that are harmful to ourselves or others. The implementation of the values of life in the novel of“Dilan, dia adalah Dilanku Tahun 1990 at MAN 1 Lombok Tengah” has three stages of learning planning, namely the initial stage, the core, and the end.

scholarly journals Metodologia badań nad strategiami uczenia się

Neofilolog ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 65-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirosław Pawlak
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Further Development

The last thirty years have witnessed considerable advances in empirical investigations into language learning strategies, with researchers identifying and classifying strategic devices, providing insights into factors influencing their use, investigating the relationship between the application of strategies and proficiency, and appraising the contributions of strategies- based instruction. Such developments have been accompanied by attempts to refine the existing research tools and design more effective ways of accessing learner’s mental processes. These efforts have not been entirely successful, which is unfortunate since methodological problems limit the validity and reliability of research findings and preclude comparisons between studies, thus stymieing further development of the field. The article evaluates the most frequently used tools and procedures in research on language learning strategies and offers guidelines on how future studies of this kind should most beneficially be conducted.

scholarly journals Hierarchical Inferences Support Systematicity in the Lexicon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Hofer ◽  
Tessa Verhoef ◽  
Roger Philip Levy
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Artificial Language Learning ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Item Level ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Unpredictable Variation

Language exhibits striking systematicity in its form-meaning mappings: Similar meanings are assigned similar forms. Here we study how systematicity relates to another well-studied phenomenon, linguistic regularization, the removal of unpredictable variation in linguistic variants. Systematicity is ultimately a property of classes of form-meaning mappings, each member of which can be acted upon independently by linguistic regularization. Both are supported by a cognitive bias for simplicity, but this leaves open the question of how they interact to structure the lexicon. Using data from a recent artificial gesture learning experiment by Verhoef, Padden, and Kirby(2016), we formalize cognitive biases at the item level and the language level as inductive biases in a hierarchical Bayesian model. Simulated data from models that lack either one of those biases show how both are necessary to capture subjects' systematicity preferences. Our results bring conceptual clarity about the relationship between regularization and systematicity and promote a multi-level approach to cognitive biases in artificial language learning and language evolution.

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