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Pushing Past The Plateau: A Diary Study Of A Not Quite Intermediate Korean Language Learner, Jonathan D. Wilson
Pushing Past The Plateau: A Diary Study Of A Not Quite Intermediate Korean Language Learner, Jonathan D. Wilson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
In this study the author explores the internal and personal aspects of his own learning of the Korean language through the qualitative perspective of a language learning diary. Language fossilization is brought into focus as the author resumes learning the language after a three year break and attempts to push past his perceived plateau. Fossilization is a foundational concept in the field of adult Second Language Acquisition (SLA), yet seemingly none have covered this issue using the diary study design and the unique, inside perspective that this design offers. The author developed his own study plan and recorded regular introspective …
Somali Stories: A Development Of A Story-Based Esl Literacy Tool For Use With Older Adult Somali Women, Susan Renee Marshall
Somali Stories: A Development Of A Story-Based Esl Literacy Tool For Use With Older Adult Somali Women, Susan Renee Marshall
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The focus of this study is on incorporating what was learned through research to develop a curriculum resource. The primary research question addressed in this project is how educators can incorporate stories from older adult Somali women into English language instruction to improve these students’ English language writing skills. Key influences include my experience as an ESL educator and my strong interest in stories, including their use in education. The study has a curriculum development design. A curriculum resource, in the form of a story-based literacy tool designed to teach English language literacy skills to older Somali women, was developed. …
Teacher And Student Perceptions Of Dyned Multimedia Courseware: An Evaluation Of Call In An American Technical College, Gail Katherine Ellsworth
Teacher And Student Perceptions Of Dyned Multimedia Courseware: An Evaluation Of Call In An American Technical College, Gail Katherine Ellsworth
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study examines the perceptions of teachers and students using the DynEd Multimedia Courseware in adult ESL workshops in an American technical college setting. The goals of the study were to determine (a) the teachers’ perceptions of their training to facilitate DynEd, (b) the teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the facilitators’ role in supporting students, and (c) the teachers’ and students’ perceptions of DynEd’s appropriateness for adult learners at our institution. Data from questionnaires and focus group interviews were analyzed using Chapelle’s (2001) Criteria for CALL Task Appropriateness as the conceptual framework. Findings suggest that both teachers and students need …
Critical Literacy For Linguistically Diverse Students, Jennifer Ann King
Critical Literacy For Linguistically Diverse Students, Jennifer Ann King
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone is how can a critical literacy unit on exploring identity enable secondary ELLs to find voice and take action? It documents the creation of a twelve lesson unit organized around three target texts and one digital storytelling project. These lessons blend the components of the SIOP Model for effective instruction of English learners (Echevarría, Short, and Vogt, 2013) with activities to promote critical literacy. Additionally, the author documents the relevant research used in the creation of the curriculum along with the successes and challenges of the curriculum development process. In reflecting on the …
Listening Strategies For English Language Learner Comprehension, A Teacher Resource Guide, Ana Marie Ruiz Mclafferty
Listening Strategies For English Language Learner Comprehension, A Teacher Resource Guide, Ana Marie Ruiz Mclafferty
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone examines listening strategies for English Language Learners in grades 3-5 and includes a teacher resource guide to help support students in the listening language domain. There are very few resources for elementary teachers to support students in listening comprehension strategies. The teacher resource guide includes think-aloud, focus questions, journaling and interactive listening strategies. Lesson templates and examples are included.
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Use Of The Linguafolio® Online In A Beginning Middle School El Class, Melissa Rose Davey
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative mixed methods case study explores how LinguaFolio® Online is an appropriate strategy for increasing self-regulated learning in a beginning ESL class. Five participants in a middle school beginning ESL class used LinguaFolio® Online over eight weeks in order to report on learning and submit evidence exemplars. All participants used LinguaFolio® Online for various user interactions concerning self-regulation and self-assessment. Participants completed a pre- and post-survey so that perceptions could be compared before and after use of LinguaFolio® Online. The results of this study specify two important trends; first, regular use of the selfassessment lists contained within LinguaFolio® Online …
Creating Collaborative Parent-Teacher Learning Environments In An English Language Learner Setting, Joseph William Hutchins
Creating Collaborative Parent-Teacher Learning Environments In An English Language Learner Setting, Joseph William Hutchins
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
There is agreement in the academic community that parent involvement is critical to the academic achievement of all students. With the student population of America rapidly changing, the collaboration between parent and teacher continues to be more challenging. This study aims to explore the obstacles that inhibit collaboration with ELL (English Language Learners) families. The author documents details related to the barriers that exist in these relationships and current strategies commonly used to help with parent involvement in an ELL setting. Given the rapid increase in the Somali population in recent years in the Twin Cities, the author used this …
Adult English Learners' Perceptions Of Their Pronunciation And Linguistic Self-Confidence, Jennifer Marie Zoss
Adult English Learners' Perceptions Of Their Pronunciation And Linguistic Self-Confidence, Jennifer Marie Zoss
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Second language pronunciation research often focuses on intelligibility from the perspectives of native-speakers. However, few studies focus on English learners’ (ELs) perceptions of pronunciation, and few studies examine linguistic self-confidence (LSC). This study explores advanced-level adult ELs’ perceptions of their own pronunciation and the relationship between their perceptions and LSC. Inspiration for this study comes from ELs in my classes and Tracy Derwing’s 2003 study. This mixed methods study utilized an initial questionnaire followed by individual interviews. Results from data obtained suggest that adult ELs perceive English pronunciation affects quality of life in a variety of ways. Results also suggest …
Tutoring As An Elementary Reading Intervention To Benefit Bilingual Learners In Mexico, Hannah Marie Paulson
Tutoring As An Elementary Reading Intervention To Benefit Bilingual Learners In Mexico, Hannah Marie Paulson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone project is, can peer tutoring be used as an effective elementary reading intervention to benefit bilingual learners in Mexico? Key influence for this capstone was the author’s observation of a lack of effective reading interventions in bilingual environments. The study is a qualitative study in which the author implemented a seven-week peer tutoring training with nineteen fifth grade tutors. These peer tutors each worked one on one with a fourth grade student to apply specific reading strategies. The goal of the capstone was to determine whether peer tutors could positively affect student outcomes …
The Confluence Of Stem Education And Language Learning: Curriculum Integration To Benefit Language Learners, Christian Joseph Engelbret
The Confluence Of Stem Education And Language Learning: Curriculum Integration To Benefit Language Learners, Christian Joseph Engelbret
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The number of elementary STEM schools has risen dramatically in the last decade. The national government has identified goals for preparing learners for the workforce in the STEM areas, while also decreasing the achievement gap between white students and their non-white peers. This research paper seeks to answer three central questions: 1) How can these various STEM disciplines be integrated in an effective and meaningful manner to improve both academic language and content area knowledge of English Learners? 2) What lesson design format best prepares teachers to implement a project-based or integrated curriculum? 3) How can partnerships between higher education …
Analysis Of Nominalization In Elementary And Middle School Science Textbooks, Breanna Marie Mueller
Analysis Of Nominalization In Elementary And Middle School Science Textbooks, Breanna Marie Mueller
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research in this capstone examines the existence and implications of nominalizations through a text analysis of first through fifth grade and middle school science textbooks. This study utilizes various tools based on Systemic Functional Linguistics to determine the quantity and types of nominalizations found in various text levels, to reveal how frequently nominalizations are modified by a prepositional phrase that shows agency or force, to uncover how nominalization might affect the syntax and semantics of a text, and to deduce how nominalization might contribute to lexical density. The author also compares the results to address what nominalizations look like …
English Language Learners On The Autism Spectrum: Identifying Gaps In Learning, Jennifer Suzanne Reppond
English Language Learners On The Autism Spectrum: Identifying Gaps In Learning, Jennifer Suzanne Reppond
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This research project reports on questionnaire survey answers that Special Education (SPED) educators, English as second language (ESL) educators, and a speech language pathologist (SLP) currently working in the classroom, on school campuses, and private practices, gave as being a part of this study. Their answers sought to uncover gaps in the environment that might lead to unsuccessful execution of a cross-educational learning environment for the English language learner (ELL) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); highlights encompass where the educators felt gaps existed and where these gaps could be bridged for a better, more successful learning outcome. This project …
Former English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their K-12 Educational Experiences, Corissa Rae Michaelson
Former English Learners’ Perceptions Of Their K-12 Educational Experiences, Corissa Rae Michaelson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
In this qualitative study four former English learners between the ages of 21 and 24 were interviewed in order to answer the following questions: What perceptions do participants have of their K-12 educational experiences? What perceptions do participants have regarding deficit thinking in their K-12 educational experiences? What responses do participants have to deficit thinking they might have experienced? What in-school factors, if any, might have improved participants’ educational experiences? Data from individual interviews was analyzed using the constant-comparison method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Major findings of this study were that participants had a more positive learning experience in ESL …
Analysis Of Efl Academic Writing In A Saudi University, Philline Mary Deraney
Analysis Of Efl Academic Writing In A Saudi University, Philline Mary Deraney
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone analyzes 25 texts written by female university students in Saudi Arabia using the paradigm of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and genre-based writing focusing on the textual metafunction. The research methodology used was a description of the patterns that emerged in the students’ writing related to features of coherence and cohesion with basic frequency tables to support the qualitative data. The findings illustrate that while the texts showed some clear elements of coherence and cohesion and a partial understanding of the genre used in instruction, similar to international and regional studies, features of academic writing related to the textual …
Using Audiobooks To Promote Comprehension Of Cause-Effect Relationships In Social Studies Texts, Eric John Vernon
Using Audiobooks To Promote Comprehension Of Cause-Effect Relationships In Social Studies Texts, Eric John Vernon
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
There are many challenges for secondary ELs in their mainstream classes. Social studies texts in particular can be very difficult for students to comprehend. The cause-effect relationships play a key role in students understanding the connection of historical events. This study looks at the use of audiobooks as a scaffolding tool to improve students’ comprehension of the cause-effect relationships in social studies texts. Specifically the concurrent reading of the text along with listening to the audiobook. It was conducted in a high school intermediate ESL class, students read sections of a text without the use of the audiobook, then with …
Processing Of American Idioms By Native Speakers Of Brazilian Portuguese: A Study Based On The Heuristic Model Of T.J. Cooper, Brendan John Obern
Processing Of American Idioms By Native Speakers Of Brazilian Portuguese: A Study Based On The Heuristic Model Of T.J. Cooper, Brendan John Obern
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The primary research question addressed in this study is, how do native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese process American English idioms? The author adapted a previous study by Thomas C. Cooper (1999), employing the think-aloud method: informants were asked to verbalize their thoughts as they resolved the meanings of the idioms, as presented in the Idiom Recognition Test (IRT). In contrast to Cooper’s 1999 study, the author questioned informants of a single L1 group; native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. The results showed that the native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese experienced less difficulty than the 1999 group understanding the same idioms. They …
Use Of Inquiry-Based Learning In A Content-Based Physical Science Course For English Language Learners, Otto Joseph Kraus
Use Of Inquiry-Based Learning In A Content-Based Physical Science Course For English Language Learners, Otto Joseph Kraus
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can inquiry-based learning be used in a content-based physical science class for English language learners? The project provides one teacher’s creation of seven lessons that incorporate inquiry-based learning techniques into a content-based physical science course for English language learners. The lessons are intended to concurrently teach state physical science standards and WIDA language standards. The methods and rationale for the lessons are based on the importance of experience to the learning of language (Jackson, 2013; Robinson, 2011), as well as the overlapping pedagogies of inquiry learning and language learning, known as …
Bilingual Adults’ Language Use: A Study Of High Level Spanish English Speakers, Emma Kathleen Sinkler
Bilingual Adults’ Language Use: A Study Of High Level Spanish English Speakers, Emma Kathleen Sinkler
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to investigate how adults with a high level of Spanish and English language abilities use the two languages in different contexts and functions and how they perceive their own language use. Key influences included bilingual teachers and former students. The research of Ardila (2005) , Ehala and Niglas (2006) and Coluzzi (2010) informed my guiding questions and research methods. Three women who have high levels of Spanish and English participated in this study through an initial interview and questionnaire, three guided journal entries and a final interview. It was found that all the participants …
Newcomer Perceptions Of Identity And School Membership: Program Comparisons Between English Only And Dual Language Immersion Tracks, Jeanne Lorraine De La Riva [Whisler]
Newcomer Perceptions Of Identity And School Membership: Program Comparisons Between English Only And Dual Language Immersion Tracks, Jeanne Lorraine De La Riva [Whisler]
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study examined the differences is ways newcomer ELs in the dual language immersion program characterized identity and sense of belonging in comparison to newcomer ELs in the English-only track. Interview data was analyzed to reveal differences in perceptions of school membership along three different themes: perception of Spanish in the school, academic participation, and peer acceptance. The concept of communities of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991) was employed to understand students’ participation and sense of belonging within the school community, and the topics of agency and self-efficacy are discussed as they relate to students’ identities. The results of this …
Implementation Of Wida Standards: A Cross-Case Analysis Of Twelve Public School Districts In Minnesota, Ashley Elizabeth Karlsson
Implementation Of Wida Standards: A Cross-Case Analysis Of Twelve Public School Districts In Minnesota, Ashley Elizabeth Karlsson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Implementation of new educational initiatives is never without challenges, and the implementation of WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards is no exception. As a transformative framework aligning content standards with indicators of language proficiency growth, WIDA Standards have the potential to support and enhance differentiation efforts for English learners. Drawing on the work of implementation science, this research analyzes qualitative interview data from twelve public school districts in Minnesota to determine what is being done to put WIDA Standards into practice. Semi-structured interviewing techniques and cross-case data coding form the basis of the research methodology. The study examines the relationship …
A Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach To The Academic Language In Seventh Grade Social Studies, Laura Beth Ripley
A Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach To The Academic Language In Seventh Grade Social Studies, Laura Beth Ripley
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research questions addressed in this project are, what genres and Theme progressions are common in the History Alive! text, and what linguistic resources make up Themes? The aim of this capstone was to inform the instruction of English learners when using a secondary level social studies text, by understanding how language is used in this genre. This research presents rationale for a text analysis using the Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) approach, then utilizes this method to conduct an analysis guided by the research questions. The author discusses the findings, focusing on implications for learner comprehension and instruction. The author …
Perceptions Of Esl Teachers’ Roles Within School Communities, Angela Carolyn Froemming
Perceptions Of Esl Teachers’ Roles Within School Communities, Angela Carolyn Froemming
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this project was to examine how school personnel perceive the role of the ESL teacher within elementary school communities. Electronic surveys, individual interviews and a focus group were used to collect data from ESL teachers, mainstream teachers and administrators. Results showed that while ESL teachers see themselves as language teachers, mainstream teachers see them primarily as classroom support, suggesting that the role of language within content instruction is not clearly understood by those outside the field of ESL. As a result, the expectations of the ESL teacher vary greatly within the school community. Recommendations for clarifying the …
Academic Language In Book Clubs, Tanya Marie Schuh-Modelli
Academic Language In Book Clubs, Tanya Marie Schuh-Modelli
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Book clubs are increasingly used by teachers to help raise ELL literacy levels. Yet, there has been little research on whether this tool actually contributes to improved oral language proficiency. The research question is, after being taught the academic language needed to ask and answer higher order questions, how well are students able to ask and answer questions? This study examines to what extent students are able to engage in higher-order questioning after receiving direct instructional support through book clubs. The methods employ anecdotal notes, transcripts of student conversations, and student written work to assess how students can discuss text …
The Integration Of Play Into The First-Grade Language Arts Curriculum For English Language Learners, Cheryl Jean Sanderson
The Integration Of Play Into The First-Grade Language Arts Curriculum For English Language Learners, Cheryl Jean Sanderson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, can the integration of play and games with rules into the first-grade Language Arts curriculum improve the oral speaking and reading skills for English language learners? To investigate the answer to that question, I studied how a child’s first language develops. For children who learn a second language, Krashen’s models were utilized in learning how a second language is acquired. Play and games with rules are defined. Looking primarily to Piaget and Vigotsky, I learned about the development of the child, play, games with rules and how a child learns through play. …
Preparing English Learners For Academic Language Demands Of Mainstream Mathematics, Tracie Lynn Cavalli
Preparing English Learners For Academic Language Demands Of Mainstream Mathematics, Tracie Lynn Cavalli
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Secondary English language teachers and content mathematics teachers are called upon to develop the language and mathematics skills of students. English learners need learning methods in place that will aid in learning both sets of skills. This research outlines methods to incorporate language usage into mathematics instruction through incorporating direct vocabulary instruction, problem solving procedures and oral presentations. The research was conducted in a sheltered mathematics classroom over the course of two weeks. Data was collected from pre-‐ test and post-‐test scores, students presented problems after following a set of problem solving procedures, and a completing a written assessment where …
Text Analysis: Sentence Initial Adverbials In A Second Grade Language Arts Book, Sherri Kathleen Silva
Text Analysis: Sentence Initial Adverbials In A Second Grade Language Arts Book, Sherri Kathleen Silva
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research questions addressed in this text analysis are: What are the forms and functions of sentence initial adverbials?, What is the frequency of each?, and What is their relationship in the second grade Mondo language arts curriculum book Up and Away! Taking a Flight? This study investigates, classifies, quantifies, describes, and analyzes sentence initial adverbials with the goal of increasing linguistic understanding of the forms and functions of this language structure. The guiding principles of Schleppergrall’s functional language analysis discussed in The Language of Schooling: A Functional Linguistics Perspective and Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics were employed to analyze the …
Identity-Focused Second Language Acquisition: A Systematic Review Of Classroom Applications, Heather Lynn Stockton
Identity-Focused Second Language Acquisition: A Systematic Review Of Classroom Applications, Heather Lynn Stockton
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project is, what does research say about identityfocused second language acquisition (SLA) as applied in the classroom? The aim of this study is to provide stakeholders in ESL contexts with an overview of existing research on identity-focused SLA with particular emphasis on classroom applications. This information is investigated in the hopes of uncovering practical tools and strategies for educators to use in support of both SLA and identity development. Identity-based SLA is defined and discussed using Bonny Norton’s (2006) five beliefs about identity as a framework. Twenty-four studies with classroom applications of identity-focused SLA …
Teacher Perceptions Of Their Preparation To Meet The Needs Of Secondary English Learners With Limited Formal Education, Kristina Marie Herman Hill
Teacher Perceptions Of Their Preparation To Meet The Needs Of Secondary English Learners With Limited Formal Education, Kristina Marie Herman Hill
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
As more immigrants and refugees make the Upper Midwest their home, many English Learner (EL) teachers are struggling to meet the various needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), especially at the secondary level. The purpose of this study was to examine secondary teacher perceptions of their preparation to meet the unique needs of SLIFE and to examine what types of preparation would have been helpful to them. Sixteen secondary EL teachers who work with SLIFE were surveyed and four were interviewed to share their perceptions of their preparation. The overall result of the survey was that …
Relationship Between Oral Language And Reading Comprehension For English Learners: A Systematic Review, Jenna Lee Varghese
Relationship Between Oral Language And Reading Comprehension For English Learners: A Systematic Review, Jenna Lee Varghese
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This systematic review documents one teacher’s search for reasons why transitional readers at her elementary school seem to be stagnant in their reading progress, particularly in the area of reading comprehension. The relationship between English oral language proficiency and English reading comprehension for English learners at the transitional stage of reading is explored in depth. Additional factors that make it difficult for transitional readers to move through this stage are identified and discussed. A thorough review and synthesis of the current research is provided, offering many answers to the questions posed. Instructional implications and recommendations for mainstream teachers are shared.
Monitoring The Writing Progress Of English Learners In The Secondary Setting, Susan C. Ellis
Monitoring The Writing Progress Of English Learners In The Secondary Setting, Susan C. Ellis
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone is a literature review that centers on two research questions: what are researchers saying about using progress monitoring in writing, particularly that of secondary school English learners (ELs), and what tools are available for monitoring the writing progress of these students? An investigation of the uniqueness of EL writers was conducted prior to designing a systematic literature review for this capstone. An exhaustive search for studies that addressed the research questions was conducted, resulting in three studies that met the reliable and valid criteria established for this literature review. Each of the studies examined the reliability and validity …