DO LEVELS OF INTEREST HAVE AN EFFECT ON CHILDRENS COMPREHENSION MONITORING PERFORMANCE

This study examines the effect of interest levels on the comprehension monitoring ability of 8- and 9-year-old children. Two groups particip ated in the study; they were matched for single-word reading and vocab ulary skills, but differed in comprehension skill. Two tests were carr ied out which required the children to read a number of brief passages , some of which contained embedded problems. The children's task was t o identify the problems. Test 2 was game-like in nature and the childr en reported finding it more interesting than Test 1. Interest level wa s found to affect test performance in the poor comprehenders' comprehe nsion monitoring: a significant improvement in their performance was f ound at high interest levels (Test 2). However, the performance of the good comprehenders was independent of interest level. This study sugg ests that the comprehension-monitoring deficit in the poor comprehende rs is not irreversible, and is likely to be related to poor motivation and low levels of interest. The implications for remedial education a re discussed.