Relationships among L1 print exposure and early L1 literacy skills, L2 aptitude, and L2 proficiency

Authors examined the relationship between individual differences in L1 print exposure and differences in early L1 skills and later L2 aptitude, L2 proficiency, and L2 classroom achievement. Participants were administered measures of L1 word decoding, spelling, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, receptive vocabulary, and listening comprehension in 1?C5th grades, and then followed into 9?C10th grades where measures of L2 aptitude, L2 proficiency, and L1 print exposure were administered. Students?? responses on the L1 print exposure measure were used to divide them into High, Average, and Low Print groups. Findings showed significant differences between the High versus Low Print groups on all L1 skill measures, L2 aptitude and L2 proficiency tests, and L2 classroom achievement after controlling for IQ. L1 skill differences between the groups emerged as early as 1st grade. L1 phonemic awareness, L1 word decoding, and L1 spelling measures were the best discriminators of L1 print exposure among the three groups. Results suggest that early success in L1 reading and reading volume prior to L2 study may be related to differences in L2 aptitude, L2 proficiency, and L2 achievement several years later.     

The role of L1 and L2 working memory in literal and inferential comprehension in L2 reading

Reading span as a measure of L1 or L2 working memory capacity is shown to be related to L2 reading comprehension. Albeit limited, there is research on the relationship between both L1 and L2 reading spans and their roles in L2 reading comprehension, yet these studies take reading as a global construct rather than delving into its multi‐level representational architecture. This study differentiates itself from previous research in that it investigates the relationship of both L1 and L2 reading spans to L2 reading comprehension, while taking into account two reading dimensions, namely, literal understanding and inferential comprehension. Findings reveal no significant difference between L1 and L2 storage capacities, although task processing in L1 is more accurate compared to that in L2. Generally, L1 and L2 processing tasks correlate positively as do L1 and L2 stoarge tasks. Finally, only L2 reading span has a meaningful relationship with L2 inferential comprehension.     

The Role of First Language Transfer in Second Language Writing and Pedagogical Implications

The influence of first language(L1) involvement in second language(L2) writing has been a theme widely discussed since the research on L2 writing process thrived in the early 1980 s. So far extensive studies have indicated that L2 writing is a bilingual event and the use of L1 is a fairly common strategy among L2 writers. In light of this cognitive characteristic of L2 writing process,a wide range of studies have been carried out,seeking to further reveal what role L1 plays in L2 composing process and how L1 assumes its role during the process. However,there seems to be no consensus reached by the L2 writing researchers so far on whether L1 involvement facilitates or interferes L2 writing,which results in a lot of confusion and frustration in L2 writing teaching practices. Therefore,this paper tries to examine the conflicting views on the role of L1 transfer in L2 writing process and analyze the reasons and theories that may underlie this phenomenon for an attempt to elicit some pedagogical implications for future L2 writing teaching.     

Mutual compensation between L1 reading ability and L2 language proficiency in L2 reading comprehension

The present study investigates the contribution of first language (L1) reading ability and second or foreign language (L2) proficiency to L2 reading comprehension, by focusing on the compensation between L1 reading ability and L2 proficiency. Two research questions were addressed: (1) does high L1 reading ability compensate for low L2 language proficiency? (2) does high L2 language proficiency compensate for low L1 reading ability? Participants were 241 Japanese university students learning English as a foreign language. They were divided into three levels (high, middle, low) according to the levels of their L1 reading ability and L2 language proficiency. Effects of these two factors on L2 reading ability were analysed by analysis of variance. A multiple regression analysis to estimate a compensation model was also applied. Results provided positive answers to both research questions. The present study thus demonstrates the mutual compensation between L1 reading ability and L2 proficiency, which works in order to achieve the highest possible level of L2 reading comprehension for readers with different ability backgrounds in L1 reading and L2 proficiency.     

儿童母语习得与成人二语习得差异研究述评

在定性分析的基础上,讨论了儿童母语习得与成人二语习得之间的差异。通过对相关理论文献的系统性回顾,对影响儿童母语习得和成人二语习得因素的分析,对儿童母语习得与成人二语习得的个人理解及相应的教学实践效果发现,儿童的母语习得与成人二语习得在很多方面（如习得年龄、手段、模式、环境和动力）都有区别。由此得出结论：儿童的母语习得是毫不费力的,而成人的二语习得是非常艰难的。因此,儿童母语习得与成人二语习得不同的特点,产生的原因以及相关的效果都应受到足够的重视。     

母语思维与二语习得

母语思维是二语习得领域关心的问题，但大部分研究局限在母语思维的负面作用，对其正面积极作用关注不多。事实上母语思维对第二语言学习所产生的影响并非仅限于目的语输出结果上，它的影响还包括对目的语输出过程中的作用。母语思维既是一条有助于理解、消化和吸收外语信息的有效途径，又是一种组织内容和形式的常用策略。在二语习得中应开发利用母语思维这一不可缺少的背景资源，让母语和目的语结成朋友，从而实现二语习得效率的最大化。     

Strategies for professional reading in L1 and L2

Reading strategies of future professionals, both in native language (L1) and in one or more foreign languages (L2), have been little explored. Findings from research concerning the transfer of L1 reading strategies to the L2 context are contradictory. Our hypothesis is that relative performance in L1 and L2 reading is associated with two key variables involved in successful L2 reading comprehension: L1 reading proficiency and L2 language competency, the latter being the stronger predictor. 39 students were divided into three groups by strength or weakness on each independent variable. Their reading strategies, explored by questionnaire, were compared within and between groups, both in L1 and L2, and were correlated to text recall comprehension scores. Readers strong on both key variables were equally effective in both languages. Strong L1 readers weak in L2 were poor L2 readers but fared better than readers weak on both variables. General reading strategies differentiated efficient readers from poor ones both in L1 and L2, but specific problem-solving strategies were the main obstacle in L2. Comprehending – the process, or strategic approach employed – correlated very strongly with comprehension – the product, or score – in L2 and fairly strongly in L1. Pedagogical implications suggest individualised reading training in the light of relative difficulties.     

First and second language vocabulary affect early second language reading comprehension development

The aim of this study was to examine variation in early reading comprehension development for second language (L2) readers compared with first language (L1) readers and to investigate the impact of vocabulary knowledge in their first and second language. Participants were 75 Dutch monolingual children (L1 readers) and 71 Turkish–Dutch bilingual children (L2 readers), aged between 6 and 8 years old at the start of the study. In a longitudinal design, three waves of data were collected across second and third grades. The L2 readers had lower reading comprehension scores than the L1 readers on average, but this performance gap narrowed over time. To further investigate variation among the L2 readers, four categorical subgroups of L2 readers were identified with varying levels of L1 (Turkish) and L2 (Dutch) vocabulary knowledge by means of cluster analysis. Group membership was related to reading comprehension and showed an interaction with time, indicating that reading comprehension performance of the two L2 subgroups with high L1 vocabulary increased more over time compared with L1 readers. The L2 subgroup with high vocabulary in both languages even caught up with their monolingual peers in third grade. These findings demonstrate how individual differences in L1 and L2 vocabulary knowledge explain variation in early L2 reading comprehension development and highlight the importance of considering L2 readers' first language in research and education.     

藏族学生英语三语写作中母语和汉语作用研究

藏族学生英语三语(L3)习得受到母语藏语(L1)和第二语言汉语(L2)的双重影响。以多语交互影响研究者提出的类型近似模型、第二语言主导模型和累积增强模型为理论基础,收集L2水平不同的藏族L3学习者的作文语料,从流利度、词汇丰富度和词语错误率等三个维度对比分析。结果表明L1和L2在L3写作中发挥了不同的作用:L1在作文构思阶段发挥作用;L2水平越高,词汇错误率越低,但L2水平在词汇丰富度上并不具有区分力;教学媒介语对L3也会产生一定影响。这一结果对于藏区英语教学具有一定的启示。     

心理语言学视角下的“翻译法”学习策略

大多数教师都主张学习者在学习外语时要忘掉母语,可现实是“翻译法”学习策略屡禁不止。心理语言学研究表明,在学习第二语言时把学生大脑中的母语系统关闭掉是不可能的。Paradis等人的双语或多语语言处理模式则揭示出：第二语言子系统的生成依赖于母语系统,它与母语系统互相之间是动态发展、变化和影响的关系。这提示教师要正确认识“翻译法”学习策略的必然性及合理性,允许学生合理借助它帮助自己习得第二语言。     

第二语言的词汇表征与发展

勾勒出一个教学环境中第二语言词汇习得的心理语言学模式。从二语词库里词条的进化方式来考虑,二语词汇习得可看作由三个阶段组成:形式阶段、一语词目介入阶段和二语融合阶段。据证明,由于二语的学习受到实际的制约,所以大多数二语词汇在第二阶段就僵化了。在此基础上,总结二语词汇表征的三个突出特点。     

Profiles of more and less successful L2 learners: A cluster analysis study

This retrospective study examined L1 achievement, intelligence, L2 aptitude, and L2 proficiency profiles of 208 students completing two years of high school L2 courses. A cluster analysis was performed to determine whether distinct cognitive and achievement profiles of more and less successful L2 learners would emerge. The results of nonhierarchical (k — means clustering) revealed three distinct cognitive and achievement profiles. Participants in the high-achieving cluster scored above average range generally on all L1 and L2 measures; students in the average-achieving cluster scored average range generally on all L1 and L2 measures; and those in the low-achieving cluster scored low to below average range generally on all measures except IQ. Findings suggest that students' level of achievement in L1 skills developed prior to L2 exposure is strongly related to and consistent with their L2 aptitude and proficiency, level of attainment in L2 is moderated by level of attainment in L1, and L2 learning runs along a continuum of learners with stronger to weaker language skills.     

General auditory processing,speech perception and phonological awareness skills in Chinese–English biliteracy

This study focused on the associations of general auditory processing, speech perception, phonological awareness and word reading in Cantonese‐speaking children from Hong Kong learning to read both Chinese (first language [L1]) and English (second language [L2]). Children in Grades 2–4 (N=133) participated and were administered measures of IQ, word reading, phonological awareness, speech perception and auditory processing in both L1 and L2. Auditory processing uniquely explained both L1 and L2 word reading. While L1 speech perception accounted for unique variance in L1 word reading, L2 phonological awareness explained unique variance in L2 word reading. In cross‐language comparisons, L1 phonological awareness and speech perception were uniquely associated with L2 word reading, suggesting cross‐language transfer from L1 to L2 only. Results underscore the importance of auditory processing for reading across variable learning contexts.     

Reading in two orthographies: A cross-linguistic study of Dutch average and poor readers who learn English as a second language

The present study investigated the reading of secondary school students in their first and second language (L1, L2). Twenty-six average and twenty-six poor readers matched on age, gender, listening and reading comprehension participated. They were native Dutch speakers who started learning English at secondary school (grade 7). We examined whether differences in L2 between the two groups reflect differences in L1 with regard to reading and relevant subskills. In addition, the relationship between reading and its predictors within and across the two languages was investigated. Between group differences were similar in L1 and L2 when task conditions involved high levels of phonological and orthographic complexity or demanded speeded processing. Furthermore, serial rapid naming predicted speeded word reading in both languages and L2 text reading accuracy, while L2 phoneme awareness and orthographic knowledge explained unique variance in L2 text reading accuracy. Cross-linguistic prediction revealed that speeded word reading predicted its counterpart from L1 to L2 and vice versa. Serial rapid naming explained additional variance in the prediction of L2 from L1. After exclusion of the reading predictor from the model, serial rapid naming was the most consistent cross-linguistic predictor, while L2 orthographic knowledge explained a small amount of unique variance in L1 speeded word reading.     

关于相对L—T2分离性的几点注记

通过研究L-T2分离性的性质,给出了相对L-T2分离性与相对弱L-T2分离性的关系,并且当L为带有逆合对应的连续格时,相对L-T2分离性仍然有L-好的推广性质．而反例说明相对弱L-T2分离性没有L-好的推广性质．     

Language Transfer in Third Language Acquisition

Language transfer is one of the areas that have received special attention in the research of third language(L3).This paper focus es on the transfer of syntax from first language(L1) and second language(L2) in the early stage of third language acquisition(TLA).It aims at finding out whether L1 or L2 is the main source of transfer and trying to account for this phenomenon in light of typology and psy chotypology theories.A story telling task is used among 8 university students who have Chinese,English and French as L1,L2 and L3.The findings indicate that although both L1 Chinese and L2 English exert influence on L3 French production in the form of transfer,more L2 transfer occurs due to the typological and psychotypological similarity between L2 English and L3 French.The results confirm previous studies on the important roles of typological and psychotypological similarity in determining the source of transfer in a multilin gual’s language production.Some pedagogical implications of the findings are also discussed.     

二语词汇习得的心理表征对英语学习词典编纂的启示

词汇习得是二语习得的重要环节,是二语习得研究的中心。二语词汇的心理表征和发展具有阶段性特点,针对各个阶段的形成机制与特点,充分发掘学习词典的教学功能,使英语学习词典在宏观与微观结构的设置上更符合二语学习者的习得规律,丰富其二语词汇知识,提高词汇运用能力,促进词汇能力的全面发展。     

Playing football without a ball: language,reading and academic performance in a high‐poverty school

Second language (L2) reading research suggests that there is a complex interplay between L2 proficiency, first language (L1) reading and L2 reading. However, not much is known about the effect of L1 proficiency on L1 reading, and of L1 reading on L2 reading, or vice versa, in bilingual settings when readers have few opportunities for extensive reading in their L1. The relationships between L1 (Northern Sotho) and L2 (English) proficiency and L1 and L2 reading were examined in Grade 7 learners attending a high‐poverty primary school in South Africa, during the course of a year when a reading intervention programme was implemented. The effect that attention to reading and accessibility of books had on the learners' reading proficiency in both languages was examined, and the factors that predicted academic performance were analysed. When the learners were engaged in more reading, L2 reading contributed more variance to L1 reading than L1 proficiency. Reading in both languages also contributed significantly to academic performance. The study highlights the need for more cross‐linguistic reading research in different educational settings.