First-language (L1) reading research has had a major impact on second language (L2) reading research. There was a substantial lag, however, before these L1 theories were adapted and proposed for L2 reading. This article introduces the L2 researcher to the relevant and current L1 test comprehension issues and theories to help close this gap.…

Explores the relationship between written and spoken language and questions whether skills and strategies used in reading can be effectively transferred to listening. Suggests working from the text may be more productive than using strategies. Field questions these assumptions, and Ridgway defends his point. (Author/VWL)

Investigates effects of a direct instruction main idea summarization program and a self-monitoring technique on the reading comprehension of 4 sixth-grade students with learning disabilities. Student performance was assessed after the main idea instruction and self-monitoring training. Finds the program produced increases in identifying and…

Discusses how educators are increasingly recognizing the value of instruction that focuses on developing metacognitive skills, or comprehensive strategies for thinking and independent learning. Summarizes research on metacognitive reading skills and then describes two sample classroom exercises to teach these skills to developmental college…

Describes strategies to facilitate college students learning from scientific journal articles. Builds upon a variant of SQ3R as a basic strategy and utilizes a cognitive strategy instruction (CSI) model for sequencing instruction. (NH)

Presents a discussion by dedicated teachers (who were taking a university course for reading assessment and diagnosis) about students' problems with vocabulary words that impede successful reading comprehension. Discusses how the interactive process of developing the strategies pushed the teachers' imaginations and created a challenge for the…

A meta-analysis of instructional research with students with learning disabilities in the domains of word recognition and reading comprehension indicates effect sizes for comprehension measures were higher when studies included derivatives of both cognitive and direct instruction, whereas effect sizes were higher for word recognition when studies…

Reports the results of a study that investigated aspects of the English vocabulary knowledge of two groups of Chinese-speaking English-as-a-Second-Language teachers: one from Hong Kong, one from Beijing. Examined the extent to which teachers understood the lexical content of teaching materials. (Author/VWL)

Provides an annotated bibliography of eight recommended children's books new titles and reprints to use in reading comprehension activities. Suggests grade levels and learning activities for each title. (AEF)

Provides background information on the Chinese writing system and primary schools in China. Describes the Chinese reading and language arts curriculum, common instructional practices, and how students learn to read and write Chinese characters. Provides a typical lesson for developing reading comprehension. Discusses three ways for improving…

Supports a differential development model of reading disability that argues deficits in rapid auditory ability in children are primarily associated with problems in phonological processing, whereas deficits in rapid visual ability in children are primarily associated with problems in orthographic processing; and, for adults, continued deficits in…

This study analyzed the word-, sentence-, and passage-level demands of high-interest, low-level books in a manner consistent with an interactive model of reading comprehension. Cases consisted of three randomly selected passages from sixty different books. Cases were analyzed across five variables: high-frequency words, decodable words, sentences,…

The results of a within-subject cross-language study of text comprehension in adult second language (L2) learners are presented. Text comprehension and sentence reading time measures were obtained for matched narrative and procedural texts in English and French from adult learners of French as a second language (FSL) at two levels of French…

During the summer vacation children who are economically disadvantaged experience declines in reading achievement, while middle- and high-income children improve. Previous research has demonstrated that the most widely implemented intervention -- sending economically disadvantaged students to summer school -- has not led to increases in reading…

In this case study, reading fluency was examined within the context of a paired reading instructional intervention. Additionally, this study explored reader self perceptions and the nature of the lived experience of reading for a less skilled reader. A single subject changing criterion design was employed. Baseline reading fluency data were…