Second Language Reading Issues

1. Second Language Reading Issues TSL 591 : MTR Hudson, Chapter 3

2. The Question • When talking about second language reading the main question that needs to be addressed is: • Is it a reading problem or a language problem? • The question is central to sorting the causes and origins of 2nd language reading problem.

3. Views of 2nd Language Reading • Hulstijn (1991) • Questions on whether good or poor readers read in the same way in their 1st language need to be addressed • Why? • Increase in our understanding of 2nd language reading proficiency when link to theories of 1st language research • Important in our understanding of 2nd language reading if the reading processes are similar

4. Views of 2nd Language Reading-cont. • Differences between 1st and 2nd language readers: • Since L2 readers are proficient in the 1st language, they may transfer L1 skills to L2 • May assist or interfere • Reading in L1 normally begins after speaking in L1 is advanced, but L2 learners do not normally master spoken skills when reading instruction begins. • Great cognitive difference between child 1st language readers and adult 2nd language readers

5. Views of 2nd Language Reading - cont • Two contrasting views on second language learners’ success in foreign language reading • Success in reading a foreign language depends upon 1st language reading ability rather than level of English • Reading problems of second or foreign language learners are the result of imperfect knowledge of the language

6. Views of 2nd Language Reading - cont • Alderson’s hypotheses on 2nd language reading performance: • Poor reading in FL is due to poor reading in L1 • Poor reading in FL is due to inadequate knowledge of TL Modifications to the above hypotheses: • Poor FL reading is due incorrect strategies used, strategies not similar to L1 • Poor FL reading is due to strategies in L1 not being employed in FL due to inadequate knowledge in FL. Good L1 readers will read well in FL once passed a threshold of FL ability.

7. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships • Studies tend to find: • Strong relationship between 2nd language linguistic ability and 2nd language reading ability • Moderate relationship between 1st language reading ability and 2nd language reading ability, depending upon level of language ability • Studies by Perkins et al. (1989) & Carson et al . (1990): • Indicate a moderate relationship between 1st language and 2nd language reading • Suggest that some transfer of reading ability is possible

8. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont. • Studies by Carrell (1991) and Yamashita (2002) looked at L2 Reading = L1 Reading + L2 Language Proficiency • Findings of both studies suggest: • Strong relationship between 1st language and 2nd language reading for higher-level students • Once readers become more advanced 1st language reading ability becomes increasingly important

9. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont. • Bosser’s (1991) study: • Examined the relation between 1st language reading, 2nd language reading and 2nd language ability • Results: • 2nd language ability and 1st language reading play a substantial role in 2nd language reading • Possible existence of a threshold level before learners are limited in their ability to transfer 1st language reading abilities to 2nd language reading context

10. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont. • Lee & Schallert (1997): • Examined whether no or little effective transfer of L1 reading strategies until the learner reached a threshold level of L2 ability • Results: • L1 reading ability contributed less to L2 reading ability than L2 proficiency • There is a language threshold where L1 reading skills begin to contribute to L2 reading ability.

11. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont. • Fecteau (1999): • Examined relationship between L1 and L2 reading of literature for more advanced-level FL learners • Result: • Subjects were able to transfer L1 language literature reading skills to reading L2 literature

12. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont • Donin & Silva (1993): • Attempted to differentiate aspects of L2 reading comprehension specific to reading in L2 from factors relevant to understanding text in any language • Result: • Reading time slower when reading in L2

13. Research into 1st Language & 2nd Language Relationships – cont • Taillefer (1996): • Examined the relationship between L1 reading and L2 reading across 2 different tasks • Results: • L1 reading ability and L2 proficiency to be significant predictors of FL reading depending upon the particular reading task. • More demanding reading tasks may call on greater need for L2 proficiency • The use L1 reading ability aids the L2 reader only after the reader has a threshold of L2 ability.

14. Summary • There are interrelationships between L1 reading ability, L2 proficiency and L2 reading performance • Results of research tend to show that L2 proficiency plays a greater role that L1 reading ability • Also it is dependent on the type of reading task • Most important at the lower level of L2 proficiency • Interactions between the 3 elements above is dependent on whether the learners are in foreign or 2nd language context