Morphological Analysis in Explaining Morphological Awareness with Its Association to Language and Reading Skills

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Abstract

Many studies explored the relations of morphological awareness to language and reading skills. In addition, there are some mechanisms through which morphological awareness contributes to these skills. In this study, we examined the role of morphological analysis in explaining the association of morphological awareness to vocabulary, word reading, and reading comprehension in L2 English. One hundred and twenty-one Korean-speaking middle school students were assessed in morphological awareness, morphological analysis, vocabulary, word reading, and reading comprehension in English. We found that morphological analysis, in addition to vocabulary and word reading, partially mediated the relation of morphological awareness to reading comprehension. In conclusion, morphological analysis is a critical mechanism through which morphological awareness supports reading comprehension for Korean L2 students of English.

Authors

• Joong won Lee, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

• Young-Suk Grace Kim, University of California - Irvine