Minding the Seductive Details: Text Features in Second Language Content-Area Reading Comprehension

• In Event: 70.066 - Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 70.066-3 - Trends in Second Language/Multilingual Reading Research

Abstract

Text features, such as section headings, graphics, and captions, can support L2 reading comprehension. However, comprehension suffers when students either ignore or become overly distracted by text features. This study utilizes think-aloud data to compare how high- and low-achieving English language learners (ELLs) attend to text features when reading for science class. Findings indicate that while skilled readers excelled regardless of their use of text features, struggling readers either over-relied upon graphics or ignored text features altogether. Implications for both researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Authors

• Sunni L Sonnenburg, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Katherine Landau Wright, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Zohreh R. Eslami, Texas A&M University - College Station