A1 Journal article (refereed)
Reading comprehension from grade 1 to 6 in two shallow orthographies : comparison of Estonian and Finnish students (2019)

Soodla, P., Torppa, M., Kikas, E., Lerkkanen, M.-K., & Nurmi, J.-E. (2019). Reading comprehension from grade 1 to 6 in two shallow orthographies : comparison of Estonian and Finnish students. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 49(5), 681-699. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2018.1445963

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Soodla, Piret; Torppa, Minna; Kikas, Eve; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina; Nurmi, Jari-Erik

Journal or series: Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education

ISSN: 0305-7925

eISSN: 1469-3623

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 49

Issue number: 5

Pages range: 681-699

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2018.1445963

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66005

Abstract

The aim was to examine reading comprehension among elementary school students in two shallow orthographies, Estonian and Finnish. Participants were 619 Estonian children (50% boys) and 292 Finnish children (52% boys) whose reading comprehension was assessed in first, second, third, and sixth grades. The results showed that reading comprehension among Estonian and Finnish children was at a similar level by the end of first grade but Finnish children started to have better performance from second grade onward. These findings suggest that the roots of Finnish students’ strong reading skills are nurtured from the very beginning of elementary school. The potential cross-country differences in reading instruction are discussed.

Keywords: literacy; reading comprehension; children (age groups); lower comprehensive school pupils; Finns; Estonians

Free keywords: longitudinal study; shallow orthography; elementary school; reading comprehension

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1