ABSTRACT
This chapter describes that reading comprehension issues center on the ability to understand complex texts, whether fictional narrative or informational. It outlines ways to understand reading comprehension more generally and identify major component skills and knowledge bases needed for reading comprehension. The chapter also outlines key research findings about the nature of reading abilities and connects them to possible instructional practices. It identifies the potential instructional options and variations that could help make a difference in reading success with second language (L2) students. The chapter describes reading processes as cognitive operations that integrate component abilities to build comprehension of a text. Research on expertise highlights the importance of getting a strong mentor or a good coach. One of the most important factors in reading comprehension abilities is how reading processes vary depending on the reading purpose.
