Comparison of language skills of students with and without reading difficulties

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the language skills of students with and without readingdifficulties (RD) comparatively. For this purpose, a comparative descriptive research methodology wasutilised with a participant group comprised of 52 elementary school 3rd grade students with and withoutRD. The results of this study revealed that students with difficulties in reading fluency were lesssuccessful in phonological processing than their peers with no difficulty in reading fluency. Also, studentswho had difficulties in reading comprehension were less successful than their peers with no difficultiesin oral language assessments. In summary, it was recognised that students who experienced difficultiesin reading also possessed difficulties in language skills. As a result, the assessment of both reading skillsand language skills is critical for the identification of RD as well as for conducting appropriateintervention programs to address these difficulties.