A Corpus Study of Language Simplification and Grammar in Graded Readers

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Published: Jul 19, 2023
Keywords:
corpus linguistics extensive reading graded readers latent class analysis multidimensional analysis

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Azrifah Zakaria
English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Willy A Renandya
English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Vahid Aryadoust
English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Abstract

Studies on graded readers used in extensive reading have tended to focus on vocabulary. This study set out to investigate the linguistic profile of graded readers, taking into account both grammar and lexis. A corpus of 90 readers were tagged according to the variables in Biber’s Multidimensional (MD) analysis, using the Multidimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT). These variables were analysed using latent class cluster analysis to determine whether the graded readers can be grouped by similarity in linguistic features. While MAT analysis surfaced more similarities than differences within the corpus, latent class clustering produced an optimal 3-class model. Post-hoc concordance analyses showed that graded readers may be categorised as having three classes of complexity: beginner, transitional, and advanced. The findings in the study suggest that selection of reading materials for extensive reading should take into consideration grammatical complexity as well as lexis. The linguistic profiles compiled in this study detail the grammatical structures and the associated lexical items within the structures that teachers may expect their students to encounter when reading graded readers. In addition, the profiles may be of benefit to teachers seeking to supplement extensive reading with form-focused instruction.

Article Details

How to Cite
Zakaria, A., Renandya, W. A., & Aryadoust, V. (2023). A Corpus Study of Language Simplification and Grammar in Graded Readers. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(2), 130–153. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/266938
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2023): LEARN Journal (July-December)
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Azrifah Zakaria, English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A PhD candidate at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests are in corpus linguistics, language assessment and computer assisted language learning. Besides teaching, she has previously worked in early childhood education and intervention.

Willy A Renandya, English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A language teacher educator with extensive teaching experience in Asia. He currently teaches applied linguistics courses at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. He has given numerous keynote presentations at international ELT conferences and has published extensively in the area of second language education.

Vahid Aryadoust, English Language and Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

An Associate Professor of language assessment at the National Institute of Education of Nanyang Technological University. Vahid has published his research in Language Testing, Language Assessment Quarterly, Assessing Writing, Educational Assessment, Educational Psychology, and Computer Assisted Language Learning, etc. He has also (co)authored multiple book chapters and books published by Routledge, Cambridge University Press, Springer, Cambridge Scholar Publishing, Wiley Blackwell, etc. He teaches graduate courses on Oracy, language assessment, and research methods.

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