Analyzes an innovative and optional French language proficiency certificate designed to test proficiency in oral and written language on the undergraduate level at the University of London. (AM)

Reading comprehension exercises are used more effectively as a teaching device than as a testing device. They can be used to teach students a variety of skills, such as the ability to discover specific facts, to see the writer's point of view, and to visualize what is described in words. (CFM)

The article discusses programmed instruction in reading a foreign language to provide students in a specialized discipline with tools they need to understand specialized texts. Recent studies indicate the validity of teaching for reading comprehension only. Two examples of programs in scientific Dutch are attached. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Preparing worksheets is seen as a valuable source of motivation. Various examples are given, for reviewing vocabulary, for exposition of a reading text, and for checking on text comprehension. Using a sample, it is shown how a text can be reconstructed using a multiple-choice procedure. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Examines the effects of three text signal types (headings, previews, logical connectives) on relatively sophisticated college age readers and their comprehension of technical expository prose. Concludes that all three types can enhance comprehension, but that facilitation depends on passage length and difficulty. (FL)

As measured by responses to a main-idea essay question and by written summaries of two passages, students' ability to abstract the macrostructure of problem/solution text read independently was improved by the use of structure training. (FL)

The interactive effect of cognitive entry behaviors (CEB) with mastery versus non-mastery learning strategies is studied. The subjects, 180 third graders were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: 90 percent mastery; 70 percent mastery, non-mastery, and control. The results showed a significant CEB x treatment interaction on immediate…

Investigates the role of phonological recoding in third graders' reading of Greek. Revealed a disturbing effect of articulatory suppression on subjects' reading latencies and text retention. Suggested that subjects' (1) reading of text was partly based on prelexical phonological representation and (2) text retention depended partly on a…

Examines the differential influence of pictorial vs. verbal forms on the comprehension of metaphor in younger (second grade) and older (fifth grade) children through their performance on the pictorial Metaphoric Triads Task. (HOD)

Investigates the effect of two repeated reading procedures on second grade transitional readers' oral reading performance with practiced and unpracticed passages. Found that reading rate, accuracy, comprehension and prosodic reading were significantly improved by repeated reading practice, regardless of training procedure employed. (SKC)

Describes a content analysis of the journal entries of six college freshmen in developmental reading courses, which indicated that students' metacognitive awareness of both reading and learning processes increased over time. (HTH)

Describes a Hebrew University program for academically disadvantaged students, focusing on a workshop component which emphasizes learning skills and study strategies. An evaluation of the workshop indicates that it leads to improved achievement in several academic fields (including the natural sciences). (DH)

Discusses text displayed on computer screens and examines the effects of three layout variables--justification, line length, and leading--on reading speed and comprehension. Current literature on each variable is reviewed, and implications for the design of computer-based instruction are presented. (Author/LRW)

Intermediate-level English as a second language students were examined for levels of reading comprehension. Half of each group (experimental and control) received more complete versions of test passages than the other half, and the experimental group was taught appropriate cultural background information between tests. Background knowledge did…

Examines differences in secondary students' vocabulary learning from inconsiderate (text characteristics that inhibit learning) and considerate contextual information. Reports that contextual information in natural text may be inconsiderate for word learning, but students may be satisfied with partial/erroneous knowledge. (MM)