Linguistic Foundations For Reading

Linguistic Foundations for Reading

Foundations of Reading Acquisition and Dyslexia

The chapters in this volume are based on presentations made at a recent conference on cognitive and linguistic foundations of reading acquisition. The researchers who participated have all made contributions to the theoretical and empirical understanding of how children learn to read. They were asked to address not only what they have learned from their research, but also to discuss unsolved problems. This dialogue prompted numerous questions of both a theoretical and applied nature, generated heated debate, and fueled optimism about the important gains that have been made in the scientific understanding of the reading process, especially of the critical role played by phonological abilities.

Linguistic Foundations

This volume forms part of a five volume set charting the progress of the nineteenth century movement which was instrumental in establishing international guidelines for the teaching of modern languages. It was during this period that for the first time, co-operation between phoneticians and teachers culminated in the publication of works that were instrumental in establishing the 'applied linguistic' approach to language teaching in the twentieth century. For the first time, too, the new science of psychology influenced a scientific theory of second language acquisition. The Reform Movement attracted support across Europe, spurring the development of new professional associations and journals. In turn, the publication in these journals of reports of innovative practice contributed to a greater sense of autonomy and professionalism among modern language teachers, who had hitherto tended to live under the shadow of classical language teaching. The practical innovations and theoretical suggestions for the foreign language teaching, although rooted in the nineteenth century, still have relevance today.