Cloze Procedure
The Cloze Procedure is a technique used in education and linguistics to assess reading comprehension, language proficiency, and text readability. Developed by Wilson Taylor in 1953, this method involves removing words from a passage of text and asking readers to fill in the blanks, either with their own words or from a list of options.
Key aspects of the Cloze Procedure include:
Text selection: A passage of appropriate length and difficulty is chosen.
Word deletion: Words are systematically removed from the text, typically every nth word (e.g., every 5th word) or based on specific criteria.
Administration: Readers are presented with the modified text and asked to fill in the blanks.
Scoring: Responses are evaluated based on exact matches or acceptable alternatives.
Interpretation: The number of correct responses is used to assess comprehension or language proficiency.
Applications of the Cloze Procedure include:
Assessing reading comprehension in native and second language learners
Evaluating text readability and difficulty
Diagnosing specific reading difficulties
Measuring overall language proficiency
Developing vocabulary and grammar skills
While the Cloze Procedure is widely used and relatively easy to administer, it has limitations and should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods for a comprehensive evaluation of language skills.