What Predicts First- and Second-Language Difficulties? Testing Language and Executive Functioning Skills as Correlates

Kevin Kien Hoa Chung, Xiaomin Li, Chun Bun Lam, Wing Kai Fung, Catrina Liu

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined the co-occurrence of word reading difficulty in Chinese (L1) and English as a second language (L2) and tested language and executive functioning (EF) skills as correlates. Thirty-nine poor readers in Chinese (PC), 39 poor readers in English (PE), and 26 poor readers of both languages (PB) were compared to 39 average readers who served as controls (C). The co-occurrence rate of L1–L2 difficulty was 40%. Moreover, PC, PE, and PB performed less well than C on all language and EF skills; PB performed less well than PC, PE, and C on L1 and L2 phonological awareness, L2 morphological awareness, rapid naming, and EF. Findings highlight the role of language and EF skills in L1 and L2 reading development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-99
Number of pages15
JournalLearning Disabilities Research and Practice
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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