Pedagogical correlates of reading comprehension in English and Chinese

Abstract

This study conducted in Hong Kong used multiple regression procedures to investigate the relationship between primary school children's reading test scores and the frequency with which forty-two instructional practices were used by their literacy teachers. Analyses were conducted separately for reading in English language and in Chinese (Modern Standard Written Chinese). Subjects comprised 4,329 Cantonese-speaking students (2,157 girls; 2,172 boys) aged approximately 9+ years, and their 256 teachers (129 teachers of English; 127 teachers of Chinese). Results suggest that no single instructional practice was highly correlated with students' reading achievement in English or Chinese, and in fact some practices demonstrated a negative association. However, certain practices, particularly related to the use and nature of resource materials and to assessment strategies, did demonstrate a positive association with reading performance. Similarities and differences between Chinese and English data are discussed.