Phonological processing and foreign language reading
What is it about?
The objective of this research was to measure linguistic variables, such as phonological skills, and cognitive variables, such as working memory and processing speed, to see if these variables help to identify students of a foreign language with reading difficulties. The Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) test, in Spanish and English, and Neuropsychological test ,WISC-IV, were administered. Working memory and processing speed of 7-8 years old Spanish children learning English were measured . The results show a statistically significant correlation between the skills of phonological processing in mother tongue and in English as a foreign language. Working memory and phonological awareness assessment helps in identifying foreign language students at risk of having reading problems.