Chinese as a Second Language and Dyslexia: A State-of-the-Art Review

Globalisation has increased the number of Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) learners worldwide. In this context, many learners face reading difficulties driven by differences between their native language background and the orthographic, morphological, and phonological nature of Chinese – features whose challenges can overlap with developmental dyslexia. This paper reviews the latest international research into the intersection of CSL acquisition and dyslexia, aiming to highlight critical research gaps and evaluate teaching implications. Ultimately, it proposes a forward-looking agenda for the development of inclusive CSL literacy instruction.