Abstract: In second language learning, metacognition attracts the researchers’ attention in late 1990s and has been involved in a variety of teaching practice, including second language reading, writing, listening and oral speech, etc. The psychology researchers try to discuss the process how the second language learners use their metacognitive knowledge under the metacognitive monitoring. On the basis of the sub-division theoretical framework in the structure, the main variables related to the metacognitive knowledge, monitoring and second language reading have been analyzed, such as self-awareness, text content, and strategy use. In addition, the research methods of metacognition and the areas for future studies are also discussed

Key words: metacognition, second language reading, metacognitive knowledge, monitoring, method