Evaluating oral reading fluency in English as a Second Language: A quantitative analysis

Background: There is a dearth of research on second language oral reading fluency (ORF) globally, particularly in Pakistan, both in theory and practice. No ORF scores are reported in any schools in Pakistan. Objective: Hence, a quantitative study was conducted to calculate the ORF rates using the words correct per minute (WCPM) measure among Grade 7 English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Method: A 1-min reading test was administered to calculate the WCPM of Grade 7 ESL learners, randomly selected from a girls’ public school in Sheikhupura, Punjab. Results: The expected ORF benchmark for ESL learners in Grade 7 is approximately 97–112 WCPM, based on general estimates that ESL learners typically read about 25 WCPM less than their native-speaking peers. This benchmark is used here as a comparative guideline in the absence of officially reported ORF norms for Pakistani schools. In the present study, however, the average ORF rate found among Grade 7 ESL learners was notably lower, at 72 WCPM. Conclusion: It was found that 90% of Grade 7 ESL learners fall within the 10th percentile compared to Grade 7 ORF norms. The situation regarding ORF among ESL learners in Pakistan is dire. Low ORF scores result from the lack of systematic reading practice in Pakistan’s public schools. Contribution: These data represent the first-ever calculated ORF scores for any grade in Pakistan. To improve the ORF profile of learners, a systematic reading intervention should be implemented in public schools in Pakistan.