Fostering Novice L2 Pleasure Reading: The Role of Comprehension, Text Difficulty, and Enjoyment

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Fostering Novice L2 Pleasure Reading: The Role of Comprehension, Text Difficulty, and Enjoyment
Language: English
Authors: Victoria Rodrigo
Source: Dimensions. 2024 59:146-168.
Availability: Southern Conference on Language Teaching. P.O. Box 33615, Decatur, GA 30033. Tel: 404-290-1942; Web site: http://www.scolt.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Recreational Reading, Reading Comprehension, Spanish, Second Language Learning, College Students, Picture Books, Student Attitudes, Psychological Patterns, Difficulty Level, Reading Interests
Abstract: This study reviews the effect of comprehension and perceived text difficulty in promoting reading enjoyment and interest to read more among novice learners practicing extensive and pleasure reading. Sixty-seven college students in their first semester of Spanish were asked to read a children-like story picture book in Spanish and were then given both a comprehension test and a brief perception questionnaire about how much they had enjoyed the story, how difficult they thought the reading had been, and whether they had interest to read more. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses show that (1) students' perception on the level of difficulty of a text align with their actual comprehension of the story, (2) the level of reading enjoyment is strongly related to how much the students understood and how difficult the text was perceived to be, and (3) reading enjoyment and interest to read more are highly correlated when novice learners find the text easy. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1424055
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study reviews the effect of comprehension and perceived text difficulty in promoting reading enjoyment and interest to read more among novice learners practicing extensive and pleasure reading. Sixty-seven college students in their first semester of Spanish were asked to read a children-like story picture book in Spanish and were then given both a comprehension test and a brief perception questionnaire about how much they had enjoyed the story, how difficult they thought the reading had been, and whether they had interest to read more. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses show that (1) students' perception on the level of difficulty of a text align with their actual comprehension of the story, (2) the level of reading enjoyment is strongly related to how much the students understood and how difficult the text was perceived to be, and (3) reading enjoyment and interest to read more are highly correlated when novice learners find the text easy. Pedagogical implications are discussed.