The Nature of Reading Ability and the Assessment of it

概要

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Of all the language skills, reading seems to have attracted second language acquisition researchers' and language teachers' attention the most. At the same time, reading is often a component of language tests, including high-stakes tests, such as entrance examinations, the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Therefore, assessing reading ability accurately is crucial for both test-takers and test-makers so that appropriate decisions will be made. To this end, this paper attempts to investigate what constructs should be measured in reading tests by reviewing the findings from first-language and second-language reading research as well as by examining the nature of reading ability. By identifying the constructs to be measured, this paper aims to improve not only the quality of test-making but also of the teaching of reading.