Intrinsic motivation and reading competence have long been recognized as closely interconnected. But what came first?
Is intrinsic motivation a factor in pupils' reading success? Or do they become interested in reading because they excel at it?
Scientists now agree that the link works both ways.
Miyamoto, Pfost, and Artelt conducted their own studies and came to a nuanced take away: not all pupils experience this mutual influence of motivation and ability.
Their research underscores the critical role of personalized strategies in promoting reading among diverse pupil groups.
Pupils from migrant backgrounds often need tailored approaches to enhance their reading skills.
In this article, we will explore the findings and nuances of this study.
Understanding the Interplay Between Intrinsic Motivation and Reading Competence
Research has long established a link between intrinsic drive and reading ability. The specific nature of the link was unknown for a long time.
Research suggests that pupils who are more driven tend to perform better in reading.
Some research suggests that improving pupils' reading skills leads to increased motivation. They couldn't agree on which factor influenced the other.
Until it became evident that excellent reading motivation can lead to improved reading skills, but skills can also lead to more motivation.
Miyamoto and colleagues wanted to understand how this mechanism works in practice and therefore observed pupils over a longer period of time. They also considered other factors in their research, such as pupils’ reading time.
The study compared children with and without a migration background, as children from migrant families commonly struggle with language.
Longitudinal Study on the Reading Competence of Migrant and Native Pupils
Miyamoto and colleagues tracked 4,619 pupils over three years. These pupils were in primary school and ranged in age from 10 to 12.
Approximately 712 pupils came from families where one or both parents were migrants or born abroad.
Nearly half of these pupils spoke only their mother tongue at home.
The researchers assessed all pupils' reading comprehension and motivation. Pupils were asked to estimate their daily reading time.
What they found was that reading skills at age ten were a good predictor of reading motivation two years later, with stronger readers being more driven.
The converse link was shown for native pupils, but not for those from migrant backgrounds. Despite their high motivation, they lacked reading skills compared to the native pupils.
For them, more motivation didn’t lead to better reading skills.
Core Principles: Motivation, Reading Habits, and Their Impact on Pupils
A pupils’ motivation level correlates with his reading habits.
Miyamoto and colleagues saw similar patterns in both groups of pupils, which makes sense. This makes you expect that they perform better at reading.
This was true for pupils without a migratory history.
For pupils with a migratory history, the effect was smaller than expected. Those who read more showed no improvement in reading comprehension a year later. This was especially true for pupils at lower education levels, such as the vocational education stream.
Researchers believe this is due to a lack of challenging reading material for weak readers.
Even if pupils are motivated to read, if the texts are too basic, they may remain trapped at their reading level.
The researchers concluded that reading for pleasure does not necessarily result in improved reading skills for all pupils.
Reading comprehension is frequently highlighted as essential in fostering strong reading skills. This research highlights additional factors to consider.
Prioritizing intrinsic reading motivation and skills is crucial. This is especially true for weak readers with migratory backgrounds.
According to Miyamoto and colleagues, intrinsic motivation in pupils does not always lead to improved reading performance. Weak readers won’t automatically turn into skilled readers by reading more often.
While reading frequently is beneficial, it's crucial to supply tough and diverse reading material.
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for promoting reading. Tailoring reading materials to individual needs is essential for effective reading development.
Research shows that pupils from migrant backgrounds are highly eager to learn. Although their language and reading skills often lag behind those of their peers, they are just as eager to read.
In this scenario, researchers refer to the ambition-performance conundrum, which occurs when pupils want more than they can now achieve. One probable explanation is migrants' optimism: they have left their homeland in pursuit of a better life somewhere else.
They have high hopes for their child's schooling, believing that they will outperform themselves.
Related article: Top Strategies of Experienced Readers: Effective Practices for Developing Reading Comprehension
Classroom Strategies to Boost Reading Skills in Motivated Pupils
Introducing pupils to the enjoyment and educational value of reading is beneficial. Research indicates that struggling readers require additional support to improve their reading skills.
Pay attention to pupils whose mother tongue is not English. They are often motivated to read and learn, but do need extra support.
Help pupils choose challenging yet manageable texts to gradually improve their literacy skills. Exciting or recognisable fiction and informative literature about an attractive subject are ideal for encouraging kids to continue reading and master challenging vocabulary.
This way, they can gradually read their way up with your assistance.
Encourage pupils who speak another language at home to engage with English reading materials regularly to boost their language proficiency.
Allowing pupils to take books from the school library home makes it easier and more accessible.
If this is not possible at your school, urge pupils to join the local library. This is beneficial for other pupils as well.
Show them around the local library on a class visit to get them familiar.
Key Takeaways: The Interplay of Reading Skills and Motivation
- Reading skills and motivation enhance one another.
- Increased reading enjoyment may not necessarily lead to improved reading skills for all pupils.
- Customisation is crucial for encouraging reading.
- Help weak readers with migrant backgrounds improve their language skills.
Also read: Behind the Research: 7 Eye-Opening Text Comprehension Studies Analyzed