Analyzing writing performance of L1, L2, and Generation 1.5 community college students through Coh-Metrix

Proficient writing in English is a challenge for the linguistically diverse community college population. Writing research at the community college level is warranted in order to guide instruction and assist students in achieving higher levels of proficient writing. The current study examined the writing of three community college groups: native English Language students ( L1, n=146), English as a Second Language students primarily educated abroad ( L2, n=31), and English as a Second Language students who graduated from high school and lived in the United States for more than four years (Generation 1.5, n=72). The writing samples were analyzed using Coh-Metrix to examine group differences in lexical, syntactic, and cohesion characteristics. Results indicated significant differences in syntactic and lexical measures among all groups, with small to large effect sizes. The majority of differences related to proficient writing characteristics were found between L1 and Generation 1.5 groups.