Explored the effect of giving novice foreign language readers information about the rhetorical structure of an expository text as a text adjunct. Results indicated that an expanded framework is an effective text adjunct for the comprehension of the expository prose. (27 references) (Author/CB)

Compares the reading performance of first grade readers of low, middle, and high abilities trained in listen-read, listen-alone, or read-alone procedures. Concludes that the listen-read procedure is an effective technique for low and middle ability readers in facilitating word recognition and reading comprehension. (RS)

Describes an investigation to determine whether junior high school students generate important meanings from their social studies textbooks, and to assess the kind of information students derive from text when they have tests in mind. Indicates that adolescents isolate and particularize their reading to meet perceived test demands. (MG)

Examines differences in secondary students' vocabulary learning from original and revised contextual information. Finds that the revised passages generated significantly higher scores for both ability groups on the definition and importance measures but not on the indication of knowledge measure. (MG)

Investigates the role of signaling (structural cues that announce or emphasize content or reveal content relationships) in helping good readers comprehend expository text. Finds that signals do improve a reader's comprehension, particularly comprehension two weeks after the reading of a passage and comprehension of superordinate and superordinate…

Describes two studies of undergraduates that examined learner and gender preferences for structured flowcharts versus pseudocode in the comprehension of short, complex algorithms. Research dealing with algorithm comprehension and flowcharts is reviewed, hypotheses tested are explained, implications for instructors and instructional materials are…

Elementary school-age Israeli hearing-impaired children of two hearing-impaired parents (HIC/HIP; n=31) and of two normally hearing parents (HIC/NHP; n=93) were compared. HIC/HIP outperformed HIC/NHP in reading comprehension and teachers' ratings of emotional adjustment, self-image, and motivation for communication, and were comparable in social…

Two studies with 170 third-, 303 fifth-, and 288 seventh-graders in Heidelberg (West Germany) compared memory performance and text comprehension of groups equivalent on domain-specific knowledge of the game of soccer but differing in overall aptitude. Whether prior knowledge or overall aptitude level was more important in acquiring/using new…

Examined validity of test battery, organized by theoretical framework of levels of language processing and production, at end of kindergarten and first grade. At end of kindergarten two levels of oral language (pnonemic and lexical) and at end of first grade three levels of oral language (phonemic, lexical, and text) were correlated with word…

A five-step procedure is presented for using wordless picture books to encourage language development in hearing-impaired students. The students "read" the books, write the story ideas and illustrate the story, review the story for comprehension, and complete creative writing activities. A bibliography of picture books for elementary-level…

Stories were read daily at school and home to 32 children, aged 3-10, with severe learning difficulties. After eight months, almost all of the children showed improvements in verbal comprehension greater than gains of a comparison group, and the older children showed improvements in verbal expression. (Author/JDD)

Examines research about learning disabled (LD) students and presents an LD learning-style profile. Describes a learning activity, TELSQA, that social studies teachers can use to encourage reading comprehension. TELSQA asks students to identify title (T), examine material (E), look for important words (L), self-question (SQ), and answer…

Provides sample listening comprehension and oral production activities in Spanish that teachers can use to help students develop sociolinguistic competence and skills. The exercises highlight native speakers' linguistic choices in different situations and focus on their use of deference markers. (Author/CB)

Examined school entrance age effect on academic achievement and social-emotional adjustment among 137 fourth graders. Found that differences between 73 oldest and 64 youngest subjects, identified in first grade, persisted in part to fourth grade. Younger subjects scored lowest in mathematics and oral and silent reading comprehension; were slower…

Discusses the role of visual and auditory processing in children's comprehension of television programs. Literature is reviewed that addresses the visual superiority effect and auditory stimuli, examines the linguistic complexity of television programs, and makes suggestions for further research. (29 references) (LRW)