The 11 papers presented in these proceedings focus on the general theme, "Factors Other Than Teaching That Influence Reading Achievement." The following topics are covered: (1) the relationship between culture and reading achievement, (2) the influence of language on reading, (3) levels of cultural knowledge and self-esteem of intermediate grade…

Noting that reading development is a crucial factor in breaking down social, intellectual, and political barriers, this paper uses Nigeria as an example of a developing multilingual country in order to examine the problems and challenges that learners and educators in multilingual societies face. The discussion is focused on children at the…

This study examines the relationship between preschool children's speech abilities and their basic abilities (perception, powers of reasoning, and spatial orientation), providing insights into what teaching methods and materials can be useful for basic reading instruction in Finland. Results, gathered by ranking 100 preschoolers according to…

This bulletin is published annually in the interest of children with specific language disabilities, learning disabilities, or dyslexia. Articles in this issue deal with "A Neurological Overview of Specific Disability for the Non-Neurologist,""The Evolution of Human Capacity for Language,""A Salute to Anna…

This paper reports a technique for classroom observation of children's activities considered relevant to the acquisition of reading. It is part of a larger study conducted by the University of Bristol called the "Children Learning to Read" Project, an attempt to study the learning experiences of individual children as they occur in a…

Shows that problems in areas like economics, language, culture, teacher training, and social circumstances all affect how secondary school teachers handle reading in content area courses in Black South Africa. (SKC)

Criticizes the "project" approach to reading instruction, where beginning reading students are supposed to learn the skills it takes to find out information for themselves by reading from sources. Points out that a large number of ill-defined skills which are not taught explicitly are required to sucessfully complete a project. (SKC)

Reports on a study that found that children who read, write, and discuss whole texts of their own choice show remarkable insights into literature and its making, and that the insights match those of experienced adult literary critics. (SKC)

Reviews research in the areas of reading standards and tests, reading development, dyslexia and specific reading retardation, and reading materials and interests. (FL)

Reports results of a survey of British Columbia elementary, secondary, and adult second language reading teachers, including teachers of English as a second language. The survey focused on their procedures, practices, and instructional materials. The discussion notes their use of basal readers and oral reading by native English speakers. (MSE)

What lessons can be learned from relevant research in vocabulary- and language-learning strategy training as well as from comparative studies on learning Oriental languages, which could have helpful applications to language learners from Kanji-background countries? Could both mnemonic and semantic field keyword approaches help these learners by…

This article summarizes software which can help to enhance both local and specific reading skills (often done through what is known as intensive reading) and global or general reading skills (known as extensive reading). Although the use of computerized bilingual dictionaries (CBDs) and translation websites of various types does not appear to…

In 1998, Roger Beard of the University of Leeds wrote an account of the research underpinning the emerging National Literacy Strategy (NLS). Since Beard published his review, there have been developments both in terms of age groups covered and within the field of literacy research. This document attempts a fresh review of the relationship between…

This book for beginning readers highlights Robert Mazibuko, the "Tree Man," who spent his life teaching people how to enrich the soil and plant vegetables and trees. Born in South Africa in 1904, he lived on a farm, learning to work with livestock, raise crops, and share with the community. In college, his professor of agriculture…

This project emphasized the writing-reading connection in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curriculum, noting the effects of integrating nonfiction reading about culture into writing tasks and investigating reading-for-writing activities that functioned as an extension from the EFL classrooms to the outside world. The project occurred in a…