Can intensive training with reciprocal teaching lead to improved reading comprehension and reading interest? : A comparison between an intervention in a smaller group and regular classroom instruction

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether intensive training with reciprocal teaching in a smaller group in grade 3 can lead to improved reading comprehension and reading interest for children with reading impairment. A comparison was made between the intervention in a smaller group and regular class-room instruction. A four-week training period was given to the training group. When the training was given to the intervention group the children in the class-room group participated in regular class-room instruction. The reading comprehension was measured using standardized pre- and posttests. The interest in reading was assessed using a questionnaire prior and after the intervention was done. The intervention focused on reciprocal teaching using predicting, clarifying, questioning and summerizing as reading strategies. All students in the training group performed better in the standardized test in reading comprehension and all students reported a higher level of reading interest. There was no significant difference between the pre-and posttests for children participating in the regular class-room instruction. The study showed that intensive training in a small group with reciprocal teaching was a more successfull method when teaching reading comprehension than the regular class-room instruction. The findings also showed that improved reading comprehension led to increased interest in reading