leesstroom

Leesstroom is a Dutch term used in education and cognitive psychology to describe the flow or fluency with which a reader processes written text over time. The concept covers elements such as reading rate, accuracy of word recognition, and the smooth progression from word to word, as well as how quickly meaning is constructed and retained. In academic writing, leesstroom is often discussed as an aspect of reading fluency that supports or constrains comprehension, especially in texts at a reader’s instructional level.

Researchers study leesstroom using tasks that measure how quickly and accurately a person can read aloud or silently, sometimes complemented by comprehension questions. In more detailed investigations, eye-tracking data such as fixation duration and saccades are used to infer processing flow. In classroom settings, teachers may assess leesstroom with fluency rubrics, timed readings, and qualitative observations of expression and phrasing during oral reading.

Origin and usage: The word leesstroom combines lees (reading) and stroom (flow, stream), reflecting the idea of ongoing mental processing during reading. The definition varies among researchers and educational contexts, with some emphasizing speed and others focusing on the continuity of processing and engagement with the text. The term is primarily used in Dutch-language literature and education, but it aligns with international concepts of reading fluency and processing efficiency.

See also: Reading fluency, Reading comprehension, Eye-tracking, Cognitive load, Language processing.