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Unpacking the Relation between Oral Language and Written Composition: A Meta-Analysis

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Title: Unpacking the Relation between Oral Language and Written Composition: A Meta-Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Rocío C. Seoane (ORCID 0000-0001-6031-5459), Jiali Wang (ORCID 0000-0002-0781-8177), Yucheng Cao, Young-Suk Grace Kim (ORCID 0000-0002-4328-3843)
Source: Review of Educational Research. 2026 96(3):761-798.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 38
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, Meta Analysis, Foreign Countries, Languages, Oral Language, Written Language, Grade Level Differences, Literary Genres, Phoneme Grapheme Correspondence, Language Skills, Verbal Ability, Reading Writing Relationship, Syntax
DOI: 10.3102/00346543251320359
ISSN: 0034-6543
1935-1046
Abstract: Oral language underpins written composition, establishing a relation between the two constructs; however, a comprehensive understanding of the factors moderating this relation remains to be fully explored. This meta-analysis investigates the relation between oral language and written composition, with a particular focus on identifying the factors that influence its relation. Moderators of grade level, language learner status, developmental language disorder status, orthographic depth, linguistic grain sizes (e.g., vocabulary, discourse skills), and measurement features for both constructs were considered. Measurement features for oral language encompassed format (oral vs. written), outcome (quality vs. productivity), modality (expressive, productive, or mixed), and the distinction between normed and research-developed tasks. For written composition, genre (informational vs. narrative), dimensions (e.g., quality, productivity), and the distinction of normed tasks were considered. A total of 104 studies involving 214,734 participants met inclusion criteria and revealed a moderate but significant correlation between oral language and written composition (r = 0.34). Results indicated that the relation between oral language and written composition strengthened as students progressed through grade levels and was more pronounced among foreign language learners compared to native speakers. Furthermore, the relation between oral language and written composition was particularly strong when the latter was assessed through the dimensions of quality, vocabulary, and fluency. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive quantitative synthesis, underscoring the importance of considering individual factors and measurement features. The findings have practical implications for literacy instruction and future research aimed at closing gaps in our understanding of oral language and written composition.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505159
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Unpacking the Relation between Oral Language and Written Composition: A Meta-Analysis
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rocío+C%2E+Seoane%22">Rocío C. Seoane</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6031-5459">0000-0001-6031-5459</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jiali+Wang%22">Jiali Wang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0781-8177">0000-0002-0781-8177</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yucheng+Cao%22">Yucheng Cao</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Young-Suk+Grace+Kim%22">Young-Suk Grace Kim</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4328-3843">0000-0002-4328-3843</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Review+of+Educational+Research%22"><i>Review of Educational Research</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(3):761-798.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 38
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  Data: 10.3102/00346543251320359
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  Data: 0034-6543<br />1935-1046
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Oral language underpins written composition, establishing a relation between the two constructs; however, a comprehensive understanding of the factors moderating this relation remains to be fully explored. This meta-analysis investigates the relation between oral language and written composition, with a particular focus on identifying the factors that influence its relation. Moderators of grade level, language learner status, developmental language disorder status, orthographic depth, linguistic grain sizes (e.g., vocabulary, discourse skills), and measurement features for both constructs were considered. Measurement features for oral language encompassed format (oral vs. written), outcome (quality vs. productivity), modality (expressive, productive, or mixed), and the distinction between normed and research-developed tasks. For written composition, genre (informational vs. narrative), dimensions (e.g., quality, productivity), and the distinction of normed tasks were considered. A total of 104 studies involving 214,734 participants met inclusion criteria and revealed a moderate but significant correlation between oral language and written composition (r = 0.34). Results indicated that the relation between oral language and written composition strengthened as students progressed through grade levels and was more pronounced among foreign language learners compared to native speakers. Furthermore, the relation between oral language and written composition was particularly strong when the latter was assessed through the dimensions of quality, vocabulary, and fluency. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive quantitative synthesis, underscoring the importance of considering individual factors and measurement features. The findings have practical implications for literacy instruction and future research aimed at closing gaps in our understanding of oral language and written composition.
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      – SubjectFull: Meta Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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