Listening Comprehension and the Development of Emergent Reading Skills

Abstract

Emergent readers face a difficult task as they begin to build their reading skills. Reading is a process that utilizes various skills, especially in the early stages of reading development. This study was conducted in an urban elementary school to investigate the importance of listening comprehension within a setting of emergent readers, participating in the Success For All: Reading Roots program. Specifically, this research explores the correlation between listening comprehension skills and reading levels in a group of beginning readers. It identifies teachers' beliefs on the value and purpose of read-alouds in the classrooms. Furthermore, it examines the relationship of listening comprehension skills and read-alouds at home. Various research tools were utilized and a review of professional literature was completed to investigate the question: Is listening comprehension important in developing emergent reading skills?