THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WIDE READING AND LISTENING COMPREHENSION OF WRITTEN LANGUAGE

This study was the first to examine the relationship between wide reading and listening comprehension in the first language. It answered two questions concerning this relationship. First, higher levels of wide reading were associated with stronger listening comprehension ability. Second, there was indirect evidence to suggest that wide readers may be increasing their listening comprehension ability. One hundred and twenty fourth graders were measured on general language ability, estimated amount of wide reading, and reading-related language ability. A hierarchical regression logic was used to isolate the relationship between wide reading and reading-related language development. Further research that more directly investigates the relationship between wide reading and reading-related language development is called for.