Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language
This study investigates the patterns used by economics and business students in reading comprehension (RC) of subject-specific texts in a foreign language (FL), particularly in relation to their use of background knowledge (BK). The think-aloud (TA) method was used and the data were derived from re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)
2020-06-01
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| Series: | AS: Andragoška Spoznanja |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uni-lj.si/AndragoskaSpoznanja/article/view/8789 |
| _version_ | 1797950419638419456 |
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| author | Alenka Umek |
| author_facet | Alenka Umek |
| author_sort | Alenka Umek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
This study investigates the patterns used by economics and business students in reading comprehension (RC) of subject-specific texts in a foreign language (FL), particularly in relation to their use of background knowledge (BK). The think-aloud (TA) method was used and the data were derived from readers’ verbal protocols. The coding of protocols yielded seventeen coding categories. The results were analysed and compared between two groups: one with high and one with low knowledge as determined by a prior BK assessment. The coding data were linked to the reading comprehension test results and typical patterns were established. Readers with high BK used more correct paraphrasing, inferencing, elaboration, and evaluation. In contrast, readers with low BK took more of a local approach to reading by focusing more on individual words. They frequently used English in their Slovene think-alouds, produced wrong and approximate paraphrases, and signalled lack of understanding. The article closes by examining implications for FL reading instruction and developing disciplinary literacy.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:14:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26bf673bff9945fc859f6d82c2e214dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1318-5160 2350-4188 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:14:58Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AS: Andragoška Spoznanja |
| spelling | doaj.art-26bf673bff9945fc859f6d82c2e214dc2023-01-18T08:34:14ZengUniversity of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)AS: Andragoška Spoznanja1318-51602350-41882020-06-0126210.4312/as.26.2.105-124Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign LanguageAlenka Umek0University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business, Slovenia This study investigates the patterns used by economics and business students in reading comprehension (RC) of subject-specific texts in a foreign language (FL), particularly in relation to their use of background knowledge (BK). The think-aloud (TA) method was used and the data were derived from readers’ verbal protocols. The coding of protocols yielded seventeen coding categories. The results were analysed and compared between two groups: one with high and one with low knowledge as determined by a prior BK assessment. The coding data were linked to the reading comprehension test results and typical patterns were established. Readers with high BK used more correct paraphrasing, inferencing, elaboration, and evaluation. In contrast, readers with low BK took more of a local approach to reading by focusing more on individual words. They frequently used English in their Slovene think-alouds, produced wrong and approximate paraphrases, and signalled lack of understanding. The article closes by examining implications for FL reading instruction and developing disciplinary literacy. https://journals.uni-lj.si/AndragoskaSpoznanja/article/view/8789reading comprehensionforeign languagebackground knowledgethink-aloud methodsubject-specific textsdisciplinary literacy |
| spellingShingle | Alenka Umek Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language AS: Andragoška Spoznanja reading comprehension foreign language background knowledge think-aloud method subject-specific texts disciplinary literacy |
| title | Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language |
| title_full | Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language |
| title_fullStr | Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language |
| title_short | Reading Comprehension of Subject-specific Texts in a Foreign Language |
| title_sort | reading comprehension of subject specific texts in a foreign language |
| topic | reading comprehension foreign language background knowledge think-aloud method subject-specific texts disciplinary literacy |
| url | https://journals.uni-lj.si/AndragoskaSpoznanja/article/view/8789 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alenkaumek readingcomprehensionofsubjectspecifictextsinaforeignlanguage |