Read + ability = readability

The readability of text is one of the most important aspects to consider when teaching and assessing learners reading ability/skills.

The term readability within the education context is used when referring to graded readers that are used during group guided learning. But have you ever wondered how the authors/publishers decided on the readability?

Readability refers to the ability level that a learner needs to be able to read a specific text with ease and comprehension. Various factors can affect the readability of text. Some of those factors include:

• length of the text

• length of the sentences in the text

• amount of syllables

• amount of low & high frequency words in the text

• amount of sight words

• complexity of syntax and grammar in text

• visual cues available?

• predictability of story line

• amount of topics/themes addressed in the text

• legibility (spacing, format, font etc.)

• learners' background knowledge of the text

You can determine the readability of text by using qualitative or quantitative measures. Have a look at the following slides that will teach you more about that.

Fry is a graph-based formula. It uses sentences and syllables as variables.

Numbers which fall into the dark blue areas labeled ‘long words’ and ‘long sentences’ fall outside of the graph’s parameters and can’t be scored.

Procedure:

• Flesch-kincaid online calculator: https://goodcalculators.com/flesch-kincaid-calculator/

• Cleman-liau calculator: https://www.webfx.com/tools/read-able/

• Automated readability calculator: https://readabilityformulas.com/free-readability-formula-tests.php

• Spache readability calculator: https://readabilityformulas.com/free-spache-readability-test.php

• Spache word list: https://readable.com/blog/spache-readability-formula-word-list/

• Lexile Analyser: https://hub.lexile.com/analyzer

• Fry graph calculator: https://readabilityformulas.com/free-fry-graph-test.php