Chapter published in:
Understanding L2 Proficiency: Theoretical and meta-analytic investigations
Edited by Eun Hee Jeon and Yo In'nami
[Bilingual Processing and Acquisition 13] 2022
► pp. 5–28

Chapter 2
L2 reading comprehension

Theory and research

| Nagoya University

Multicomponent views of reading constitute a contemporary standard platform toward a more comprehensive understanding of reading and its development. Based on component approaches to L2 reading comprehension, this chapter first outlines linguistic and general cognitive processing necessary for understanding text meaning, and then synthesizes current research insights into components of L2 reading comprehension covering differences between L1 and L2 reading and the cross-linguistic nature of L2 reading. In so doing, the chapter discusses influential theories in the relevant research areas. The chapter closes with discussions on theories and methodologies of L2 reading research.

Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Linguistic processing in reading
    • 2.1Phonological processing
    • 2.2Orthographic processing
    • 2.3Morphological processing
    • 2.4Lexical processing
    • 2.5Syntactic processing
    • 2.6Reading fluency
  • 3.Cognitive processing in reading
  • 4.Simple View of Reading
  • 5.Differences between L1 and L2 reading in component skills
  • 6.Cross-linguistic transfer in L2 reading
  • 7.Cross-linguistic transfer in common skills
  • 8.Effects of L1 components on L2 reading comprehension
    • 8.1Phonological skills
    • 8.2Orthographic skills
    • 8.3Morphological skills
    • 8.4Reading fluency
    • 8.5Linguistic comprehension skills
    • 8.6Factors affecting transfer
  • 9.Conclusion
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Published online: 04 August 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/bpa.13.02yam
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