What can Teachers do to Improve Reading Comprehension?: An Examination of Second Language Reading Research and Implications for English Language Teaching Practices

1969 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Hill
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Second Language Reading ◽  
Reading Research ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This paper looks at English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) reading research and the implications it has for teachers. In particular, research focusing on second language (L2) reading comprehension is reviewed, deficiencies noted, and teaching methods reviewed.

scholarly journals Effects of Electronic Reading Environments’ Structure on L2 Reading Comprehension

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Khalid Al-Seghayer
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Program ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Electronic Text ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Electronic Texts ◽  
Electronic Reading ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This study examines the effects of an electronic reading environment’s structure on second language (L2) reading comprehension. In particular, this study explores whether clarifying the underlying structure of an electronic text, along with the ways in which its units or nodes are organized and interrelated results in better comprehension as well as whether L2 reading proficiency affects the comprehension of electronic text. In this study, 40 English as a second language (ESL) learners, grouped into proficient and less-proficient groups based on their scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language’s (TOEFL’s) Reading section, were asked to read two electronic texts using computerized programs classified as either “well structured” or “less structured.” To assess the efficacy of each type of reading environment, two tests—a multiple-choice test and a mapping of main ideas and details (MOMID) test—were developed and administered to the participants after they read each text. The results of these tests were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test and a two-way (proficiency level by computerized reading program) mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that well-structured electronic texts can aid ESL readers in developing a more coherent mental representation of the electronic texts’ content, thereby increasing their reading comprehension. Furthermore, well-structured electronic texts are more helpful for less-proficient readers than for more-proficient readers. These findings have significant pedagogical and technological implications for L2 reading instructors and instructional designers.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between working memory and second language reading comprehension: Does task type matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-900
Author(s):  
Jihye Shin
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Reading Span ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

AbstractDespite the increasing attention paid to the role of working memory in reading, findings and measurement of working memory have been inconsistent. The current meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative description of the overall relationship between second language (L2) reading comprehension and working memory measured through reading span task and identify methodological features that moderate this relationship. Following a comprehensive search, 25 primary studies (23 peer-reviewed studies and 2 dissertations) were included comprising 37 unique samples (N = 2,682), all of which were coded for substantive and methodological features. The results showed that (a) there is a moderate relationship between L2 reading comprehension and working memory (r = .30), (b) reading span task features such as the scoring procedure, task language, and final word recall order moderate this relationship, and (c) the degree to which working memory’s involvement in L2 reading comprehension may vary depending on the type of reading tasks at hand. Implications are discussed in terms of conceptualization and measurement of working memory. Future directions are also offered in relation to measurement practices to encourage consistency and to improve our understanding of the link between working memory and L2 reading comprehension.

A Review of CALL and L2 Reading

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance R. Askildson
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Second Language Reading ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Incidental Vocabulary

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the present state of second language reading research and computer-assisted glossing for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Although computer-assisted language learning, in general, and computer-assisted glossing, in particular, are often cited as facilitative pedagogical and self-study tools for second language reading development (Chun, 2001; Al-Seghayer, 2003; Ko, 2005; Blake, 2007; Stockwell, 2011), the state of computer-assisted glossing research presents a much less compelling and far more nuanced picture of efficacy and facilitation (Ariew & Ercetin, 2004; Bowles, 2004; Taylor, 2006, 2009; AbuSeileek, 2008; Sato & Sazuki, 2010). Research on glossing for reading comprehension presents a mixed collection of findings suggesting facilitation (Leffa, 1992; Lomicka, 1998; Ko, 2005) and inhibition (Hegelheimer, 1997; Plass et al., 2003; Akbulut, 2005; Sakar & Ercetin, 2005), although affective and attentional benefits of glossing for reading comprehension are widely acknowledged. On the other hand, research on incidental vocabulary acquisition as a result of glossing – and particularly multimedia glossing – suggests significant effect and a compelling rationale for ulitization of glossing tools in classroom and self-study contexts (Ariew & Ercetin, 2004; AbuSeileek, 2008; Taylor, 2009; Stockwell, 2011; Aljabri, 2011).

Second Language Reading in Hypertext Environments

2011 ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Robert Ariew ◽  
Gulcan Erçetin ◽  
Susan Cooledge
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Second Language Reading ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
L2 Learners

This chapter introduces second language reading in hypertext/hypermedia environments. It discusses the development of a template to annotate reading texts with multiple types of media such as text, sound, graphics, and video so as to aid reading comprehension for L2 readers. The chapter also reports on a series of studies conducted using the template in a variety of L2 learning environments in order to explore L2 learners’ reading behavior and the effects of multimedia annotations on L2 reading and vocabulary learning. The chapter synthesizes the results according to multimedia learning theories and discusses the role of proficiency level and prior knowledge in relation to L2 learners’ reading comprehension in hypertext environments.

Connections between First- and Second-Language Reading

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith E. Brisbois
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Second Language Reading ◽  
Reading Scores ◽  
Air Force Academy ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This study builds upon previous research examining the relationship between first-language (L1) reading, second-language (L2) knowledge, and L2 reading. The unique contributions of L1 reading, L2 vocabulary, and L2 grammatical skill to L2 reading scores are investigated along with whether or not the contributions differ by course level. Subjects included 131 students (88 beginners and 43 upper level) enrolled in French at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Data were analyzed using multiple regression. Two programs were run for each subject group because L1 reading was measured using two different tests—recall protocols and the comprehension portion of the Nelson Denny Test. All of the independent variables contributed significantly for beginners, but did so for the upper level subjects only when L1 protocols were used as the reading measure. Typically, L1 reading contributed substantially, particularly for the upper level group, supporting Cummins's (1981) Hypothesis. This study demonstrates the importance of L1 reading and L2 knowledge to L2 reading comprehension.

scholarly journals Using LARA for language learning: a pilot study for Icelandic

2019 ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branislav Bédi ◽  
Cathy Chua ◽  
Hanieh Habibi ◽  
Ruth Martinez-Lopez ◽  
Manny Rayner
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Open Source ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Pilot Testing ◽  
Reading Assistant ◽  
L2 Reading Comprehension

This paper presents a brief overview of LARA (Learning And Reading Assistant), an open source online tool that has been under development since summer 2018. LARA currently contains a corpus of about 25 texts in ten languages and a crowdsourcing model used to expand the corpus. The central goal is to provide support for improving second language (L2) reading comprehension. The focus here is on the development of Icelandic content and its use during pilot testing amongst adult L2 learners of Icelandic. Preliminary feedback from users, while mostly positive, contained suggestions on how the tool might be improved.

READING IN A SECOND LANGUAGE: PROCESS, PRODUCT AND PRACTICE. Sandy Urquhart and Cyril Weir. New York: Longman, 1998. Pp. xvi + 346. £15.99 paper.

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-592
Author(s):  
Yoshiko Mori
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
Reading Research ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Theory Of Reading ◽  
Process Product

This book addresses issues of major concern among researchers and practitioners of second language (L2) reading, including theory of reading, testing of reading comprehension, L2 reading instruction, and methodological issues in L2 reading research. The book not only critically examines reading theories, previous studies, and conventional practice in teaching and testing, but also provides valuable insights into new forms of testing and teaching materials for L2 readers.

scholarly journals Modul Perkuliahan RESEARCH ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andi Asrifan
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Language Functions ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Fundamental Research

We still try 1) to find out how something works, 2) why something went wrong, or 3) what could happen in other ways. It's in our DNA, and we couldn't assist! Our inquisitive nature is manifested in teaching a language every day, as we explore how language functions, how to use the best teaching methods, or why we have not done stuff in class. We all have learned something valuable in our language teaching classrooms and had something worth sharing with our colleagues. This is pure and fundamental research and in essence, we are "researchers." It's often a problem when teachers hear 'study,' and they reply 'No, it's too complicated for me.' 'For university teachers, that's too complicated.' I heard some of them through my own ears and just isn't real! All can access science. This post will generally describe the role of research in a language classroom, how our research can inform our teaching practices and finally, the ways in which teachers share their work.

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