ERIC Number: ED363135
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1993
Pages: 79
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Available Date: N/A
Using Diverse Texts To Improve the Reading Proficiency of High School Students of French.
Pulliam, Brenda J.
A study investigated the use of varied reading materials to improve French second-language reading skills, found to be unacceptably low at the second-year level. Subjects were 30 high school students of second-year French. A pretest of reading skills and a language and reading attitude survey were administered to the students. Subsequently, a 30-week unit of reading instruction was taught. The unit used diverse texts, including short stories, songs, menus, recipes, advertisements, and cartoons. A survey, individual activities, and a posttest measured outcomes. Students demonstrated improvement in the following areas: reading in French with satisfaction and ease; retelling stories; listing vocabulary words by free association; comprehending main ideas and key details; using context clues to make logical guesses about word meanings; using visual clues to respond to statements in French; and creating a visual based on a description written in French. Results suggest that the method used was effective in improving reading skills and attitudes. The reading attitude survey, a general reading comprehension test, and a pre/posttest of one passage are appended. Contains 59 references. (MSE)
Descriptors: Context Clues, French, High School Students, High Schools, Instructional Materials, Media Selection, Reading Comprehension, Reading Instruction, Reading Materials, Reading Skills, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Skill Development, Student Attitudes, Student Motivation, Surveys, Tests, Visual Aids, Vocabulary Development
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Practicum Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A