Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang, Malaysia

27-30 September 1999

Literacy development of young second language learners beginning to read in English: the relationship between reader variables and reading behaviour

Dr Maureen Walsh

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

This study investigated the reading behaviour of 98 young second language learners in classes of Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two.

The study was conducted in three Catholic schools in inner metropolitan areas of Sydney where the majority of children come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. One other school, which was used for comparison, had a majority of children who were from English speaking backgrounds and from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Reader-related variables were identified for young second language learners of English, learning to read in English, compared with children who were English background speakers learning to read. These reader-related variables were analysed and compared with reading behaviour with some shown as significant for the development of reading, and thereby subsequent literacy and academic achievement, of young second language learners.

PAPER 45 MIN