scholarly journals A promising new tool for literacy instruction: The morphological matrix

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin Mai Rong Ng ◽  
Peter N Bowers ◽  
Jeffrey S Bowers
Keyword(s):  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
Common Base ◽  
Morphological Instruction ◽  
Morphological Composition ◽  
Memory Experiment

There is growing interest in the role that morphological knowledge plays in literacy acquisition, but there is no research comparing the efficacy of different forms of morphological instruction. Here we compare two methods of teaching English morphology in the context of a memory experiment when words were organized by affix during study (e.g., a list of words was presented that all share an affix, such as "doing", "going", "talking", etc.), or by base during study (e.g., a list of words was presented that all share a base, such as "doing", "done", "redo"). We show that memory is better in both conditions compared to a control condition that does not highlight the morphological composition of words, and most importantly, show that studying words in a base-centric format improves memory further still. We argue that the morphological matrix that organizes words around a common base may provide an important new tool for literacy instruction.

Morphological Knowledge and Literacy Acquisition

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Nagy ◽  
Joanne F. Carlisle ◽  
Amanda P. Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
Morphological Knowledge

scholarly journals Effects of computerized grapho-phonological training on literacy acquisition and vocabulary knowledge in children with an immigrant background learning German as L2

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-383
Author(s):  
Marita Konerding ◽  
Kirstin Bergström ◽  
Thomas Lachmann ◽  
Maria Klatte
Keyword(s):  
Phonological Awareness ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Reading Measures

Abstract As a consequence of globalization and migration, the number of children receiving literacy instruction in their second language (L2) is high and still increasing. Therefore, teachers need instruction methods that are effective in both L1 and L2 learners. Here, we investigate the effectiveness of a computerized training program combining phoneme perception, phonological awareness, and systematic phonics, in a sample of second-graders (N = 26) instructed in German as L2. Based on prior evidence concerning (1) literacy acquisition in L2 and (2) effects of literacy development on oral language abilities, we expected significant training effects on children’s literacy skills and vocabulary knowledge. The children of the training group worked through the program during school lessons, 20 min per day, for a period of 8 weeks. The controls continued to receive standard classroom instruction. German tests of phonological awareness, reading, spelling, and vocabulary were performed at three time points (pretest, immediate posttest, and follow-up after 9 weeks). Analyses confirmed that improvements in phonological awareness, spelling, and vocabulary between pretest and posttest were stronger in the training group when compared to the controls. For spelling and vocabulary, these effects were still significant at follow-up. Effect sizes were medium to high. For the reading measures, no group differences were found. In sum, the results yield further evidence for the effectiveness of phonics-based literacy instruction in L2 learners, and for the beneficial effects of basic literacy skills on novel word learning.

Use of action research to improve information literacy acquisition of international ESL students

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 464-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selenay Aytac
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Classroom Teacher ◽  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Literacy Instruction ◽  
Secondary Information

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to examine the outcomes of more collaborative library information literacy instruction for international English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. Design/methodology/approach This study used action research and employed three different data collection techniques: observations, semi-structured interviews and content analysis of classroom artifacts. Findings The paper concluded that one-shot information literacy instruction was not sufficient for international ESL students to acquire information literacy. Findings suggested that lack of secondary information literacy instruction just prior to the final papers, and lack of one-on-one mentoring opportunities hindered effective information literacy acquisition for the selected cohort of ESL students. Research limitations/implications Results derived from this study were used to design more effective, useful and holistic information literacy instruction for international ESL students beginning next semester at this private NY College. Originality/value This is a case study where the paper has used the participatory action research to present the importance of collaboration between the classroom teacher and the librarian to improve ESL students’ information literacy experience.

Comprehensive Literacy Instruction, Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, and Students With Severe Disabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
Collaborative Practice ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Interprofessional Collaborative Practice ◽  
Comprehensive Literacy ◽  
Students With Severe Disabilities

PurposeThe purpose of this clinical focus article is to briefly describe comprehensive emergent and conventional literacy instruction for students with severe disabilities. Specific attention is given to interprofessional collaborative practice and the roles of team members in planning and delivering instruction.MethodA rationale for the delivery of comprehensive instruction that balances skill and meaning emphases is provided with reference to new college and career readiness standards, the literature on literacy acquisition for students without disabilities, and, when possible, the literature on literacy acquisition for students with severe disabilities. Specific instructional approaches are presented to demonstrate how teams can actively engage students with severe disabilities in instruction that is collaborative, participatory, and interactive.Results/ConclusionsSuccessful provision of comprehensive literacy instruction that allows students with severe disabilities to achieve conventional literacy takes time and the efforts of a collaborative interprofessional team. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role on these teams as they ensure that students with severe disabilities have the language and communication supports they need to be successful.

Collecting Words: A Clinical Example of a Morphology-Focused Orthographic Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 544-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Murphy ◽  
Emily A. Diehm
Keyword(s):  
Written Language ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
English Orthography ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
The One ◽  
Critical Intervention ◽  
Reading And Spelling ◽  
Reading And Spelling Difficulties

Purpose Morphological interventions promote gains in morphological knowledge and in other oral and written language skills (e.g., phonological awareness, vocabulary, reading, and spelling), yet we have a limited understanding of critical intervention features. In this clinical focus article, we describe a relatively novel approach to teaching morphology that considers its role as the key organizing principle of English orthography. We also present a clinical example of such an intervention delivered during a summer camp at a university speech and hearing clinic. Method Graduate speech-language pathology students provided a 6-week morphology-focused orthographic intervention to children in first through fourth grade ( n = 10) who demonstrated word-level reading and spelling difficulties. The intervention focused children's attention on morphological families, teaching how morphology is interrelated with phonology and etymology in English orthography. Results Comparing pre- and posttest scores, children demonstrated improvement in reading and/or spelling abilities, with the largest gains observed in spelling affixes within polymorphemic words. Children and their caregivers reacted positively to the intervention. Therefore, data from the camp offer preliminary support for teaching morphology within the context of written words, and the intervention appears to be a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing morphological knowledge, reading, and spelling. Conclusion Children with word-level reading and spelling difficulties may benefit from a morphology-focused orthographic intervention, such as the one described here. Research on the approach is warranted, and clinicians are encouraged to explore its possible effectiveness in their practice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12290687

Effects of a Supplemental Spanish Phonological Awareness Intervention on Latinx Preschoolers' Dual Language Emergent Literacy Skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 1283-1300
Author(s):  
Xigrid T. Soto ◽  
Andres Crucet-Choi ◽  
Howard Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Phonological Awareness ◽  
Emergent Literacy ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
Probe Design ◽  
Emergent Literacy Skills

Purpose Preschoolers' phonological awareness (PA) and alphabet knowledge (AK) skills are two of the strongest predictors of future reading. Despite evidence that providing at-risk preschoolers with timely emergent literacy interventions can prevent academic difficulties, there is a scarcity of research focusing on Latinx preschoolers who are dual language learners. Despite evidence of benefits of providing Latinxs with Spanish emergent literacy instruction, few studies include preschoolers. This study examined the effects of a supplemental Spanish PA and AK intervention on the dual emergent literacy skills of at-risk Latinx preschoolers. Method A multiple probe design across four units of instruction evaluated the effects of a Spanish supplemental emergent literacy intervention that explicitly facilitated generalizations to English. Four Latinx preschoolers with limited emergent literacy skills in Spanish and English participated in this study. Bilingual researchers delivered scripted lessons targeting PA and AK skills in individual or small groups for 12–17 weeks. Results Children made large gains as each PA skill was introduced into intervention and generalized the PA skills they learned from Spanish to English. They also improved their English initial sound identification skills, a phonemic awareness task, when instruction was delivered in Spanish but with English words. Children made small to moderate gains in their Spanish letter naming and letter–sound correspondence skills and in generalizing this knowledge to English. Conclusion These findings provide preliminary evidence Latinx preschoolers who are dual language learners benefit from emergent literacy instruction that promotes their bilingual and biliterate development.

Reading Longer Words: Insights Into Multisyllabic Word Reading

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Heggie ◽  
Lesly Wade-Woolley
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Explicit Instruction ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Reading Difficulties ◽  
Instructional Programs ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
Morphological Complexity ◽  
Reading Accuracy ◽  
Grade 3

Students with persistent reading difficulties are often especially challenged by multisyllabic words; they tend to have neither a systematic approach for reading these words nor the confidence to persevere (Archer, Gleason, & Vachon, 2003; Carlisle & Katz, 2006; Moats, 1998). This challenge is magnified by the fact that the vast majority of English words are multisyllabic and constitute an increasingly large proportion of the words in elementary school texts beginning as early as grade 3 (Hiebert, Martin, & Menon, 2005; Kerns et al., 2016). Multisyllabic words are more difficult to read simply because they are long, posing challenges for working memory capacity. In addition, syllable boundaries, word stress, vowel pronunciation ambiguities, less predictable grapheme-phoneme correspondences, and morphological complexity all contribute to long words' difficulty. Research suggests that explicit instruction in both syllabification and morphological knowledge improve poor readers' multisyllabic word reading accuracy; several examples of instructional programs involving one or both of these elements are provided.

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