Textbook writers, Chinese language teachers, and test designers need to ensure readability of the texts they use or intended to use. They often resort to "expert judgements" based on professional experience rather than apply objective measures. This happens because there is a lack of suitable readability formulas like those established…

Early in the 20th century, educators began looking for scientific methods for matching texts with readers. Some of the best minds in education dedicated themselves to this task, including Edward L. Thorndike, William S. Gray, Ralph Tyler, Edgar Dale, Irving Lorge, and Jeanne S. Chall. The purpose of this book is to bring students of reading into…