Which Type of Vocabulary-Knowledge Better Correlates with Reading-Comprehension, Meaning-Recognition or Meaning-Recall?

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between two types of vocabulary tests and second language reading-comprehension (RC) in a classroom assessment setting. A group of 40 learners completed a written-receptive meaning-recall measure of the Updated Vocabulary Levels Test (UVLT) and the written-receptive meaning-recognition UVLT. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between scores from the two tests and The TEST of English for International Communication Reading scores. The results showed that the relationship between the meaning-recall and RC ( r =0 .85, p <0 .001) was higher than between the meaning-recognition and RC ( r =0 .78, p <0 .001) with a significant difference (Steiger's z = 3.06, p =0 .002). This suggests that meaning-recall knowledge is a better predictor of RC.