Examines the representation of the reading process in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) texts. The article argues that many of these representations are dated and based on a theory that was never a mainstream theory of first-language reading. Suggestions for exercises to strengthen automatic word recognition in EFL readers are provided. (33…

Presents definitions of literacy followed by an overview of selected views of literacy development, and suggests how these constructs inform the teaching of reading. A recent model of reading development is described, along with suggestions for using the model, particularly for learners at risk. The article concludes with a discussion of…

The paper outlines a framework for the development of reading that shows it is heavily dependent upon spoken language processes. Within this view, reading difficulties can follow from difficulties with speech processing (decoding problems) or from broader language processing impairments (comprehension problems). The paper describes the literacy…

Children ages 5-6 were questioned in an informal setting about their favorite stories, and all responded with titles of videos, rather than books. When asked specifically about stories in books, children's responses were more hesitant, and were often books of television programs or films. Another informal study was conducted, in which a teacher…

"The Electric Company" was created by the Children's Television Workshop as an experiment to teach reading to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade children having difficulty learning to read. Solidly based on research in the teaching of reading, the curriculum emphasizes decoding skills. The production process included several phases: (1) assembling…

The Progressive Tactile Timetable was developed to enable pupils with visual impairments and severe learning difficulties to progress from use of concrete symbols (objects of reference) to the abstract tactile Moon code (a simplified raised line version of the Roman print alphabet). A case study illustrates its application with an adolescent with…

Two hundred and four 5- and 6-year-olds who were monolingual English-, bilingual English-Chinese-, or Chinese-speaking children beginning to learn English (2nd-language learners) were compared on phonological awareness and word decoding tasks in English and Chinese. Phonological awareness developed in response to language exposure and instruction…

A project titled "Word of Mouth" was conducted to develop and evaluate model computer courseware to teach word attack skills to adult basic education students. The project was based on the use of multiple strategies to figure out unknown words, the importance of breaking down multisyllabic words, and the necessity of the use of audio in…

The efforts to develop and study the effects of a microcomputer program to enhance children's decoding and word recognition skills are described in this paper. The first section of the paper discusses theory and research in the area of cognitive psychology upon which the program, "Construct a Word," is based. The second section describes…

The described teacher education course is designed for elementary school teachers seeking to develop skills for building decoding ability in their beginning reading students and students who need remedial help. An outline of the scope and sequence of topics is given as well as a description of activities and resources involved in the course.…

Reports on a program for the improvement of reading skills of children whose scores were below the 50th percentile on the reading subtest of the Stanford Achievement Test. Concludes that, in general, the program helped poor readers improve their reading skills. (SRT)

Outlines one struggling second-grade reader's abilities and reading strategies, and initial instructional efforts with her. Discusses how the author determined a mismatch existed between her teaching, the teaching materials, and the child. Shows how a change of materials--to the use of decodable text accompanied by reflective, systematic,…

Legislative language, mandated by the newly reauthorized Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, underscores a number of issues relevant to students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds displaying reading-achievement difficulties. In this article,…

This booklet is a teacher's guide to using the Detroit Objective Referenced Tests (DORT), a systems approach to reading instruction that matches instructional strategies to student needs. The materials are offered in two sections for elementary and middle school implementation. Decoding and comprehension materials are discussed for both…

A program is described that successfully teaches decoding to poor readers of average or above intelligence in grades 1 through 8. The teacher-directed, supplemental program guides students to become aware of language patterns and consistencies and to apply a decoding process of using known language patterns to figure out unknown words. (Author/JDD)