The Diagnosis of Reading in a Second or Foreign Language

The Diagnosis of Reading in a Second or Foreign Language
Author: J. Charles Alderson
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2014-10-03
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1135097186

The Diagnosis of Reading in a Second or Foreign Language explores the implications of language assessment research on classroom-based assessment practices by providing an in-depth look at the little-examined field of diagnosis in second and foreign language reading. This volume examines the development of second and foreign language reading and how subsequent research findings, couched in this knowledge, can help facilitate a more-informed teaching approach in second and foreign language classrooms. By contextualizing the latest in classroom settings and presenting implications for future research in this developing area of linguistics, this book is an ideal resource for those studying and working in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and language assessment and education. About the NPLA Series: Headed by two of its leading scholars, the series captures the burgeoning field of language assessment by offering comprehensive and state-of-the-art coverage of its contemporary questions, pressing issues, and technical advances. It is the only active series of its kind on the market, and will include volumes on basic and advanced topics in language assessment, public policy and language assessment, and the interfaces of language assessment with other disciplines in applied linguistics. Each text presents key theoretical approaches and research findings, along with concrete practical implications and suggestions for readers conducting their own research or developmental studies.

Assessing Reading

Assessing Reading
Author: J. Charles Alderson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2000-02-24
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN: 0521590000

This book is the most comprehensive of the assessment of reading in a foreign or second language.

Dyslexia in the Foreign Language Classroom

Dyslexia in the Foreign Language Classroom
Author: Joanna Nijakowska
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2010-06-23
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1847694004

This book addresses specific learning difficulties in reading and spelling – developmental dyslexia. Set in the cross-linguistic context, it presents issues surrounding dyslexia from the perspective of a foreign language teacher. It is intended to serve as a reference book for those involved in foreign language teaching, including experienced in-service teachers and novice teachers, as well as teacher trainers and trainees. It offers an up-to-date and reader-friendly study of the mechanisms of dyslexia and an overview of the current research on the disorder, in theoretical and practical terms. Its aim is to help teachers tackle one of the many challenges they face in the modern classroom: the organization of an effective foreign language teaching process for students with dyslexia.

The Diagnosis of Writing in a Second or Foreign Language

The Diagnosis of Writing in a Second or Foreign Language
Author: Ari Huhta
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 317
Release: 2023-07-07
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1315511959

The Diagnosis of Writing in a Second or Foreign Language is a comprehensive survey of diagnostic assessment of second/foreign language (SFL) writing. In this innovative book, a compelling case is made for SFL writing as an individual, contextual, and multidimensional ability, combining several theoretically informed approaches upon which to base diagnosis. Using the diagnostic cycle as the overarching framework, the book starts with the planning phase, cover design, development, and delivery of diagnostic assessment, ending with feedback and feed-forward aspects to feed diagnostic information into the teaching and learning process. It covers means to diagnose both the writing processes and products, including the design and development of diagnostic tasks and rating scales, as well as automated approaches to assessment. Also included is a range of existing instruments and approaches to diagnosing SFL writing. Addressing large-scale as well as classroom contexts, this volume is useful for researchers, teachers, and educational policy-makers in language learning.

Dyslexia in First and Foreign Language Learning

Dyslexia in First and Foreign Language Learning
Author: Monika Lodej
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2016-08-17
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1443898120

According to International Educational Statistics (2008), there are total of 654.9 million school-age children in the world. If dyslexia affects 10–15% of these youth (Fletcher et al. 2007), this translates to approximately 65–98 million students with difficulties in reading and writing. The EU strategic plan for education (2010) recognises the need for EU citizens to speak a foreign language. As such, foreign language courses are introduced on an obligatory basis at the primary level of education. Dyslexic students are not exempt from this regulation, and, thus, are confronted with different language systems that must be mastered. The difficulty here escalates if the systems differ significantly in their levels of orthographic transparency. Reading and writing are operationalised by the same biological functions that are defined by the universal perspective. However, language systems differ in terms of their transparency; for example, English and French are considered opaque scripts, whereas Spanish and Italian are described as transparent orthographies. These differences are discussed in this book as part of the language specific perspective, which can, in turn, raise questions such as: “Is a dyslexic student equally impaired in any language they study?” and “Is the type of difficulty primarily dependent on the language system or is it rather a dyslexia syndrome?” This volume provides answers through a synthesis of research on reading difficulties in first and foreign languages and existing taxonomies of dyslexia sub-types.

Diagnosing Foreign Language Proficiency

Diagnosing Foreign Language Proficiency
Author: J. Charles Alderson
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2006-11-01
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0826493882

This book addresses the need for tests that can diagnose the strengths and weaknesses in learners' developing foreign language proficiency. It presents the rationale for, and research surrounding, the development of DIALANG, a suite of internet-delivered diagnostic foreign language tests funded by the European Commission. The word 'diagnosis' is common in discussions in language education and applied linguistics, but very few truly diagnostic tests exist. However, the diagnosis of foreign language proficiency is central to helping learners make progress. This volume explores the nature of diagnostic testing, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the nature of appropriate diagnosis. The book starts with a debate about how diagnostic testing might most appropriately be developed. Charles Alderson argues that the field has neglected to construct diagnostic tests, partly because other forms of testing have dominated the field. Alderson examines how proficiency has been diagnosed in the key areas of language: reading, listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary. The value of self-assessment is discussed and exemplified as a key component in developing learners', and teachers', awareness of the complexity of language learning. The book ends with a consideration of and recommendations for future developments in the diagnosis of foreign language proficiency.

Contemporary Second Language Assessment

Contemporary Second Language Assessment
Author: Jayanti Veronique Banerjee
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2016-06-30
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 056762871X

Includes chapters on key aspects of second language assessment such as test construct, diagnosis, exam design, and the growing range of public policy, social and ethical issues. Each of the contributors is an expert in their area; some are established names while others are talented newcomers to the field. The chapters present new research or perspectives on traditional concerns such as test quality; fairness and bias; the testing of different language skills; the needs of different groups of examinees, including English language learners who need to take content tests in English; and the use of language assessments for gate-keeping purposes. The volume demonstrates how language assessment is informed by and engages with neighbouring areas of applied linguistics such as technology and language corpora. The book represents the best of current practice in second language assessment and, as a one volume reference, will be invaluable to students and researchers looking for material that extends their understanding of the field.

The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Language Testing

The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Language Testing
Author: Paula Winke
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2020-12-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1351034766

This Handbook, with 45 chapters written by the world’s leading scholars in second language acquisition (SLA) and language testing, dives into the important interface between SLA and language testing: shared ground where researchers seek to measure second language performance to better understand how people learn their second languages. The Handbook also reviews how to best measure and evaluate the second language (L2) learners’ personal characteristics, backgrounds, and learning contexts to better understand their L2 learning trajectories. Taking a transdisciplinary approach to research, the book builds upon recent theorizing and measurement principles from the fields of applied linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, psycholinguistics, psychometrics, educational measurement, and social psychology. The Handbook is divided into six key sections: (1) Assessment concepts for SLA researchers, (2) Building instruments for SLA research, (3) Measuring individual differences, (4) Measuring language development, (5) Testing specific populations, and (6) Measurement principles for SLA researchers.

Reading in a Second Language

Reading in a Second Language
Author: William Grabe
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 603
Release: 2022-09-08
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1108882498

Understanding reading abilities and their development is fundamental for language comprehension and human cognition. Now in its second edition, this book draws on research from multiple disciplines to explain reading abilities in both L1 and L2, and shows how this research can be applied in practice in order to support reading development. Research into reading has progressed a great deal since the first edition was published, so this edition has been completely updated and revised, in order to reflect these advances. All chapters present updated research studies, and completely new chapters are included on the neurocognition of reading, reading-writing relationships, and digital reading. If you want to know how reading works, no matter the language(s) involved, as well as how it can be taught effectively, this book provides a persuasive research foundation and many practical insights. It is essential reading for academic researchers and students in Applied Linguistics and TESOL.