Examines how reading ability relates to course performance in an introductory developmental psychology course. Compares personalized system of instruction (PSI) to contingency managed lecture (CML) sections. Shows previous academic performance best predicted final examination scores for CML students while reading comprehension best predicted PSI…

The beliefs of 39 intermediate-level teachers (9 males and 30 females) from 6 elementary schools concerning their practices in reading comprehension instruction were determined via interviews and compared with observations of their practices. Teachers' beliefs corresponded with their practices. One case study illustrates an example where this was…

In a study of aural skills, this paper investigates the relationship between second-language learners' aural comprehension of fast, spoken English and their exposure to systematic listening instruction and to television and radio broadcasts. Data from 709 university-level Korean students show that systematic listening instruction has a powerful…

Describes a study that was conducted to examine the effects of captioned video material of varying difficulty on intermediate and advanced English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students' comprehension with videotaped episodes presenting low and high audio/video correlation. Captions were found to be more important for low audio/video correlation. (17…

Effects of schema-based cues (previewing) and structure-based cues (structure cueing) on comprehension of expository prose were studied with 74 fourth graders. Results indicate a significant pattern of higher performance by the previewing group, in comparison with the structure-cued group and a control group. (SLD)

Asserts that literature extension activities are an important part of any literature-based reading program for young children. Describes exercises based on the children's book "The Wolf's Chicken Stew" that enhance vocabulary, build higher-order thinking skills, improve comprehension, and develop writing and mathematical skills. (PRA)

Asserts that poetry can extend reading comprehension skills and promote basic reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as well as creative thinking and imagery. Presents activities that provide the basis for teaching comprehension processes and writing conventions. Offers an adaptation of the Directed Reading Activity used in many basal…

Longitudinal data from 104 children administered the Slingerland Procedures in kindergarten and achievement tests in later grades found significant relationships between Slingerland measures and reading outcomes, with prediction varying across grades and according to the reading measure used. Listening contributed to reading comprehension but not…

This article illustrates some of the characteristics of the Chinese language from the perspective of how the language is learned by American students. The article also makes recommendations to help practitioners when teaching and designing reading and curricula for both beginning and advanced learners of Chinese. (SM)

Investigated the test-taking processes of English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) testees taking a multiple choice listening-comprehension test, evaluating the effectiveness of immediate retrospection for accessing such processes. Linguistic and non-linguistic knowledge was activated in a parallel manner for all subjects with input of various…

Reports on an experiment that explored novice learners' responses to anomalous data (new data that contradict previous beliefs). Secondary education students were given both anomalous and confirmatory data concerning various theories about the origin of life on earth. Statistical data reveal their level of awareness of the contradictions. (MJP)

Considers the validity of Widdowson's discourse model of communicative competence and performance as the basis for developing tests of reading. Describes basic structure of the model and attempts to add to original description in such a way that is possible to design an operational test of the model components. The purpose of the model validation…

Outlines major research findings in cognitive-discourse-processing research on learning from text. Describes general characteristics of classrooms based on constructivist principles of learning and that support critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative learning. Argues that such classrooms raise a number of new issues for…

Describes a peer tutoring program used in grades two and three of a school where the majority of children entering school do not speak English as their first language. Shows impressive gains made by the children in reading fluency, comprehension, and in spelling. Notes the program's positive effects on reading attitudes, positive social skills,…

Evaluates strategies undertaken to improve students' foreign language reading competence. The article focuses on the ability of pupils to cope with reading texts containing unknown vocabulary, students' motivation to overcome difficulties in comprehension, the best methods to attain a permanent vocabulary gain from reading, and the transfer of…