Text messages 'help improve children's reading ability' - 给力英语
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Text messages 'help improve children's reading ability'

发布:englishfan    时间:2010/1/24 19:39:26     浏览:3263次

The use of "textism" abbreviations such as LOL (laughing out loud), plz (please) and xxx (kisses) by children can indicate successful development of reading and writing ability, a study has revealed.

Researchers found that children who use textisms are unlikely to have trouble learning to spell or read, and a child's use of abbreviated terms can be used to predict the progression of their reading ability.

Experts have previously expressed concerns that using text abbreviations will shorten children's attentions spans and erode literacy.

The study, carried out on a group of 8-12 year-olds over an academic year, found that older children used more textisms, which could mean that some abbreviations require more sophisticated literary skills.

Phonological awareness – a child's ability to detect and use patterns of sound in speech – is one of the early signs of successful development of reading and writing skills.

Researchers said the ability to contract, clip and manipulate words for texting relies on good phonological awareness, and that doing so can help develop literacy.

Dr Clare Wood, of Coventry University, conducted the research for the British Academy, the national academy for humanities and the social sciences.

"We were surprised to learn that not only was the association strong, but that textism use was actually driving the development of phonological awareness and reading skill in children," she said.

Last summer Baroness Greenfield, the neuroscientist, expressed fears that sending text messages could cause young people to have shorter attention spans.

A year earlier, chief examiners' reports revealed that A-level students were showing a "disturbing tendency" to use abbreviations such as "u" for you, or "ToV for the Treaty of Versailles, in written examinations.

However, Dr Wood said texting provides a regular form of engagement with written English for children, meaning they can practice spelling and reading on a daily basis.

She said: "Children’s use of textisms is far from problematic. If we are seeing a decline in literacy standards among young children, it is in spite of text messaging, not because of it.”

 


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