Reading and Writing together: L2 research

Reading and Writing together: L2 research

1. 1. Interdependence Hypothesis

   • AKA the Common Underlying Proficiency Hypothesis,
   • literacy transfer from L1 to L2
   • L1 transfer requires a certain level of proficiency
   • mostly L1 reading abilities transfer NOT writing
   • L2 literacy abilities can transfer to L1

2. 2. Language Threshold Hypothesis

   • a certain level of L2 proficiency
   • L2 proficiency is a better predictor
   • L1 reading does not account much
   • L2 threshold is more evident in reading than in writing.

3. 3. The Extensive Reading Hypothesis

   • emphasis on quantity
   • improves
     • lexical + grammatical structure
     • content knowledge
     • cultural knowledge
     • genre conventions
     • metalinguistic awareness
   • Best = extensive reading + consistent writing practice

4. 4. The Directionality Issue

   • 1. R to W
   • 2. W to R
   • 3. Mutual
   • 4. none
   • Most support mutual effect
   • Support R to W
   • a good reader is not a good writer

5. EAP contexts

   • teach students to write from resources
   • task preparation; assignments require reading
   • genuine tasks