ERIC Number: ED184307
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1979
Pages: 10
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Comparing Reading Comprehension in Spanish and English by Adult Hispanics Entering a Two-Year College.
Aron, Helen
This study compared three reading skill areas (recalling details, understanding a main idea not explicitly stated, and making inferences) in Spanish, the subjects' native language, and American English, their second language. The sample consisted of 47 adults from nine Latin American countries and Puerto Rico who were completing an intensive ESOL program. The test results indicated that, for the subjects of this study, competency in a skill in one language did not manifest itself in the other language. One reason for the finding is speculated to be the differing world views held by different language/culture groups. Second language reading instructors are urged to help students unravel the target culture's conceptual universe as manifested in its prose. (Author/AMH)
Descriptors: Adults, Cross Cultural Training, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Differences, English (Second Language), Language Research, Language Tests, Reading Comprehension, Reading Instruction, Reading Processes, Reading Skills, Reading Tests, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Spanish, Transfer of Training, Two Year Colleges
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the International Conference on Frontiers in Language Proficiency and Dominance Testing (3rd, Carbondale, IL, September 26-28, 1979).
