Reading with vocabulary intervention: evaluation of an instruction for children with poor response to reading intervention

Fiona J. Duff, Elizabeth Fieldsend, Claudine Bowyer-Crane, Charles Hulme, Glynnis Smith, Simon Gibbs, Margaret J. Snowling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Interventions combining phonically based reading instruction with phonological training are generally effective for children with reading (decoding) difficulties. However, a minority of children respond poorly to such interventions. This study explored the characteristics of children who showed poor response to reading intervention and aimed to improve their literacy and language skills via a new theoretically motivated intervention. Twelve 8-year-old treatment poor responders with severe and persisting reading difficulties participated. A 9-week reading intervention incorporating reading, phonological and vocabulary training was implemented. Before the intervention began the children showed almost no progress over 6 months of regular classroom education, on measures of oral language and literacy. Over the intervention period improvements were made on measures of reading, phonological awareness and language skills, which were maintained 6 months later. Although the intervention was effective, it should be noted that most children remained poor readers and require ongoing remediation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-336
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Research in Reading
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

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