ERIC Number: EJ1342541
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Feb
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1092-4388
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Reading Comprehension Intervention for Dual Language Learners with Weak Language and Reading Skills
Sanabria, Ashley Adams; Restrepo, Maria Adelaida; Walker, Erin; Glenbergb, Arthur
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, v65 n2 p738-759 Feb 2022
Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of a reading comprehension intervention with dual language learners (DLLs) with documented English reading comprehension difficulties, half of whom had a developmental language disorder. The intervention EMBRACE (Enhanced Moved by Reading to Accelerate Comprehension in English) required children to move images on an iPad to both improve and demonstrate understanding of multichapter stories. Additionally, we determined the characteristics of students who most benefit from the intervention. Method: Fifty-six participants in second to fifth grades were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (a) Spanish support intervention or (b) Spanish support control. Outcome measures included performance on comprehension questions related to the intervention texts, two transfer texts with no strategy instruction, and the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests--Fourth Edition Reading Comprehension subtest administered pre- and post-intervention. Results: Multilevel hierarchical linear models were used to account for nesting of question within child within classroom. For this group of DLLs, the overall intervention effect was not statistically significant. However, the intervention was most effective with narrative (vs. expository) texts and easy (vs. more difficult) texts. DLLs with lower initial English reading abilities (decoding and comprehension) benefited more from the intervention than those with stronger reading skills. Conclusions: The EMBRACE intervention has promise for use with DLLs with low baseline decoding and comprehension skills, particularly in early elementary grades. Future research should aim to match text difficulty with child skills when introducing new comprehension strategies to maximize benefit from the intervention.
Descriptors: Reading Comprehension, Intervention, Language Skills, Reading Skills, Skill Development, Reading Difficulties, Students with Disabilities, Elementary School Students, Bilingual Students, Spanish, Second Language Learning, Reading Tests, Program Effectiveness
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona (Phoenix)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Gates MacGinitie Reading Tests
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1324807
Author Affiliations: N/A