Metacognition as a superordinate concept of metalinguistics: The role in developing reading skills in a foreign language

Abstract

The paper provides a theoretical analysis of the relationship between metacognition and its subordinate concept metalinguistics. Understanding that language and cognition are inextricably linked, the aim of the paper is to highlight the holistic nature of learning. From this perspective, metalinguistic abilities, such as phonological awareness, word awareness, form awareness, and pragmatic awareness are introduced and suggestions for activities and everyday interactions to facilitate their development are outlined. Furthermore, the paper focuses on explaining the role of metacognition and metalinguistics in particular towards the development of reading skills. Based on the three kinds of metacognitive knowledge, i.e., declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge and conditional knowledge, the paper provides a five-step instruction of a reading comprehension strategy, applicable for both L1 and FL reading development.

Keywords

• metacognition
• metalinguistic knowledge
• metalinguistic awareness
• reading comprehension
• bilingualism
• reading in a foreign/second language