Impact of Multi-Sensory Phonics Programs in Teaching English as an Additional Language

Complexity of the various needs that come with English language learners (ELLs) beyond language learning (such as learning gaps, social and cultural differences, etc.) and increased numbers of English language learners in Canadian schools have led educational stakeholders to seek ways to promote reading improvement. While literature points out the relevance of systematic phonics instruction in reading and the importance of form-focused instruction (FFI) in English language learning, multi-sensory phonics programs (MSPPs) appear to be an effective reading tool that embodies them both. Although evidence on the efficacy of these programs is copious in students with learning difficulties, little is known about MSPPs in connection with English language learning. As a result, this integrative literature review explores the notable benefits of MSPPs, their connection with ELL instruction, and how successful program implementation may depend on teacher training.

Short Vestibular and Cognitive Training Improves Oral Reading Fluency in Children with Dyslexia

(1) Background: This study explored the effect of short vestibular and cognitive training on the reading speed in dyslexic children. (2) Methods: The reading speed was evaluated by using a reading test (Évaluation de la Lecture en FluencE, ELFE) in a crossover design before (baseline) and after vestibular training (post VT) and no vestibular training (post no VT). Nineteen dyslexic children (9.48 ± 0.15 years) participated in the study. The vestibular and cognitive training (software developed by BeonSolution S.r.l.) consisted in four exercises presented on a Wacom tablet 10″ done for 16 min per session two times per week for four weeks; each exercise was composed of eight levels with increased difficulty. (3) Results: Following vestibular and cognitive training, dyslexic children increased their reading speed; interestingly, such an increase persisted at least one month after training. (4) Conclusions: Vestibular and cognitive training could improve the vestibular network, which is well known for being involved in several cognition functions leading to reading improvement in dyslexic children. Adaptive mechanisms could be responsible for maintaining such improvement for at least one month.

IMPROVING READING SKILL BY USING BUZZ GROUP FOR ISLAMIC STUDENTS IN ISLAMIC STATE INSTITUTE PONTIANAK

A B S T R A C T The study reveal the reading improvement by using Buzz groups technique. This study used action research. This research finding that buzz groups technique can improve students’ reading comprehension. The improvement can be identified from students’ reading comprehension achievement in finding word meaning, finding detailed information, identifying the referent, identifying the main idea, identiying implied information, identifying the language characteristics of the text including identifying the generic structure of the text and identifying communicative purpose of text. The result score of pre-test is 60.2, the mean score of post-test 1 is 75.4, and the mean score of post-tes 2 is 83. . Key Words: Reading comprehension, buzz groups, CAR (Classroom Action Research)

OneCommunity Reads: A Model for Latino Parent-Community Engagement and Its Effect on Grade-Level Reading Proficiency

The importance of establishing effective literacy/reading skills at an early age, preschool to early elementary, is well known and accepted among educators. For students whose heritage language is not English, the influential factors of cultural relevance and parent/family involvement for the acquisition of these fundamental skills are underscored. OneCommunity (OC) Reads is a literacy program focused on enhancing Latino children’s reading proficiency in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing the funds of knowledge of parents/families and community. Using a community-based, participatory evaluation/research paradigm, the impact of OC Reads was examined using both quantitative and qualitative data. Findings indicated parents/families were affected positively, resulting in increased empowerment and involvement in the schools and the community. Themes derived from the qualitative data included (a) broad empowerment, (b) increased mutual understanding and respect, (c) shared responsibility, and (d) academic and reading improvement. Strengths were noted in the areas of culturally sensitive and helpful processes, and additional activities and enhancements. OC Reads’ success in enhancing literacy/reading proficiency with its nontraditional approach of empowering parents and building on the cultural realities of the students gives further credence to the literature regarding the success of such approaches.

MOCCA College: An assessment of inferential narrative and expository comprehension

MOCCA-C is an assessment of adult reading ability designed for early diagnosis of reading problems, for formative assessment in reading intervention planning, for assessment of reading improvement over time, and for assessment of reading intervention outcomes. It uses both narrative and expository reading passages and it currently has four forms. Two goals of this research were to compare narrative and expository passages on (a) their difficulty and (b) their ability to discriminate between good and poor readers. An additional goal was to assess whether narrative and expository passages measure the same or different comprehension dimensions. A final goal was to assess the reliability of forms. We randomly assigned students to forms with between 274 – 279 college students per form. Across the several forms, results suggest that narrative passages are easier and better discriminate between good and poor readers. However, both narrative and expository passages measure a single dimension of ability. MOCCA-C scores are reliable. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Development of the Oral Reading Skills and Comprehension Test-II (SOBAT®-II) for Assessment of Turkish Children with Specific Learning Disabilities: Pilot Study Results

In the process of screening and evaluating children with reading difficulties, and planning, monitoring, and evaluating reading improvement interventions for those children, standard reading tests are usually not used in Turkey. The first version of the Oral Reading Skills and Comprehension Test (SOBAT®) was developed by Prof. Dr. H. Gülsen ERDEN, and the validity and reliability studies of SOBAT® were conducted between 2002 and 2012. To expand to include children between the ages of 7 and 14, and form the parallel form of the test, A and B, a research project supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK) completed between 2013 and 2015. The purpose of this paper is to share the pilot study findings of the project. A total of 232 tests were conducted within the scope of the pilot study.