Education Commons^™

Views From The Frontline: Voices Of Conscience On College Campuses, Sherwood Thompson

Sherwood Thompson

Views from the Frontline: Voices of Conscience on College Campuses draws upon the experience of educators working to sustain diversity and multiculturalism on college campuses. The book provides a forum for educators to express their views and tell their stories about their struggles and success. The book is filled with passionate accounts and new perspectives on diversity, inclusion and multicultural community building. It is committed to informing and inspiring readers to learn more about the transformation of cultural diversity on college campuses through documenting the experiences of administrators and faculty that are changing the legacies of higher education.

Πολιτική Ένταξης Των Μεταναστών Στην Κύπρο, Nicos Trimikliniotis

Nicos Trimikliniotis

Το ζήτημα της ένταξης των μεταναστών προβάλλει ως μείζον διακύβευμα εφόσον χωρίς την ένταξη τους απειλείται ο δημοκρατικός ιστός της Κυπριακής κοινωνίας, εφόσον το πολυπολιτισμικό στοιχείο αποτελεί βασικό συστατικό του πυρήνα της κυπριακής κοινωνίας και οικονομίας εδώ και μια εικοσαετία. Το ζήτημα τούτο αποκτά μεγαλύτερη σημασία σε συνθήκες οικονομικής κρίσης, εφόσον οι μετανάστες είναι κατά κανόνα εύκολος στόχος και κατεξοχήν αποδιοπομπαίος τράγος για τα κακώς έχοντα στη κοινωνία

A Rating Scale For Evaluating English As A Second Language Reading Material, Ezra Stieglitz

Ezra L Stieglitz

In the last decade, a wide variety of commercial materials has been published for use in developing the speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills of second language learners. This article focuses on the selection of instructional materials for the reading component of an English as a second language (ESL) program.

Explaining Inequality: A Comparative Analysis Of Failure Narratives In Lao P.D.R And The U.S., Leena Her

Leena N. Her

No abstract is currently available.

Elementary School Students' Foreign Language Learning Demotivation: A Mixed Methods Study Of Korean Efl Context, Tae-Young Kim Dr., Hyo--Sun Seo

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This mixed methods study investigates Korean elementary school students’ foreign language learning demotivation and their teachers’ perception of student demotivation. A questionnaire was conducted with 6,301 elementary school students from Grades 3 to 6 to examine their motivational changes. This revealed a decrease in all motivational constructs – instrumental, intrinsic, integrative, parental/academic extrinsic motivations – as the students advanced throughout the school grades. The findings were further analyzed by using interviews and open-ended questionnaires with 17 English teachers. They attributed the students’ demotivation to three elements: 1) the negative impact of the English teacher such as incongruence with students’ needs, …

The L2 Motivational Self System Of Korean Efl Students: Cross-Grade Survey Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

Due to the increase in international trade, mass transportation, and information technology, the role of English as a global language has changed, and conventional EFL/ESL motivation needs paradigmatic reconstruction. This study compares Dörnyei’s (2009) recent proposal of a second language (L2) motivational self-system with Gardner’s (1985) socio-educational model by investigating 2,783 Korean students’ English learning motivation from Grades 3 through 12 in 14 different schools. The cross-grade survey results indicated that Korean EFL learners’ motivational intensity showed a curvilinear pattern, which means their motivation consistently decreased until Grade 9 but increased from Grades 10 to 12. A series of regression …

Korean Secondary School Students' L2 Learning Motivation: Comparing L2 Motivational Self-System With Socio-Educational Model, Yoon-Kyoung Kim, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

In order to confirm ecological validity of Dörnyei’s second language motivational self, the present study investigated 495 South Korean secondary school students’ L2 learning motivation and motivated behavior by using a questionnaire survey. The participants’ ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, integrativeness, and instrumentality were examined and compared to identify which motivational factor had the most effect on their motivated L2 learning behavior. Among Korean secondary school students, the concept of integrativeness was replaced with the ideal L2 self as a more appropriate concept for understanding Korean secondary school students’ L2 learning motivation. As for instrumentality, promotional aspects demonstrated a …

Korean Efl Students' Amotivation To Learn English: An Activity Theory Analysis, Tae-Young Kim

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

By using Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 motivational self-system, this qualitative study investigates 39 Korean EFL students’ amotivation of English learning, or the lack of motivation. Theoretically, the study was guided by Leont’ev’s (1978) activity theory, which emphasizes the unique mediation between the individual (as an active agent representing ontogenetic human development) and the social domain. I argue that an AT perspective can coherently explain students’ amotivation by paying attention to the students’ socioeducational contexts. Particularly, hakbul, or degreeocracy widespread among students and parents in Korea, is attributed to be the major reason for student amotivated but sustained English learning.

The research …

Niños Cultural Y Lingüisticamente Diversos: Apuntes De Una Experiencia Docente, Claudia Peralta Nash

Claudia Peralta

He regresado a California después de ausentarme varios años (cinco para ser exacta) y tomo conciencia de que los requisitos académicos e institucionales, tanto para los alumnos como para los estudiantes en práctica docente, han cambiado tremendamente. Lo que en un principio eran "ideas" de requisitos, hoy se han convertido en "requisitos" que pueden impedir la obtención de un diploma o incluso frustrar la consecución de un título profesional, como por ejemplo el de educadora.

A Review Of The Literature On Bilingual Education, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

Changes in bilingual education will have an important impact on the future well-being of the growing Latino community in Massachusetts. This report summarizes some of the major research findings regarding the purposes and effectiveness of bilingual education. Questions that will be addressed include: What are the existing bilingual education models? Which bilingual education models work best? Should there be time limits for bilingual education? Do immigrants resist learning English? Does speaking another language interfere with learning? Should bilingual students be exempt from state-mandated testing? Are bilingual teachers qualified? Are bilingual education students more likely to dropout? It is hoped that …

Latino Students In Lawrence: An Educational Profile, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

With financial support from the National Council of La Raza, the Gastón Institute is developing "Educational Profiles" for the sixteen Massachusetts public school districts with the highest Latino student enrollments: Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Worcester, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Chelsea, New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg, Salem, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, and Somerville. The profiles present basic data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education including information on student enrollment, MCAS results, dropout rates, and student aspirations. We hope this information will be used by Latino students, parents, educators, and policy-makers to make informed decisions and improve public education for Latino students in Massachusetts.

Latino Students In Springfield: An Educational Profile, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

With financial support from the National Council of La Raza, the Gastón Institute is developing "Educational Profiles" for the sixteen Massachusetts public school districts with the highest Latino student enrollments: Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Worcester, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Chelsea, New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg, Salem, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, and Somerville. The profiles present basic data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education including information on student enrollment, MCAS results, dropout rates, and student aspirations. We hope this information will be used by Latino students, parents, educators, and policy-makers to make informed decisions and improve public education for Latino students in Massachusetts.

Latino Students In Chelsea: An Educational Profile, Lorna Rivera

Lorna Rivera

With financial support from the National Council of La Raza, the Gastón Institute is developing "Educational Profiles" for the sixteen Massachusetts public school districts with the highest Latino student enrollments: Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Worcester, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Chelsea, New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg, Salem, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, and Somerville. The profiles present basic data provided by the Massachusetts Department of Education including information on student enrollment, MCAS results, dropout rates, and student aspirations. We hope this information will be used by Latino students, parents, educators, and policy-makers to make informed decisions and improve public education for Latino students in Massachusetts.

A Renaissance On The Eastside: Motivating Inner-City Youth Through Art, Marybeth Gasman, Sibby Anderson-Thompkins

Marybeth Gasman

Research tells us that children are more susceptible to temptations between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.—the hours following the end of the school day when parents are not yet home from work. This study looks at the "life histories" of child participants in the Artists in the Making (AIM) program—a program that aims to motivate inner-city youth through the use of visual arts classes. Despite the diversity of the children who participated in the AIM program, several common themes emerged from the interview process: self-discovery, problem-solving skills, opportunities for positive risk taking, and the mastery of artistic …

English Language Learner Status: Creating And Recreating Borders For Second Generation Immigrant Students In School, Leena Her

Leena N. Her

No abstract is currently available.

The Schooling Experiences Of Immigrant Students In Rural Settings, Claudia Peralta

Claudia Peralta

No abstract provided.

Bilingual Teacher Beliefs And Practice: Do They Line Up?, Claudia Peralta Nash, Celia Den Hartog King

Claudia Peralta

A qualitative study used observation and collection of artifacts to examine the pedagogical strategies of six teachers; four taught in a two-way bilingual education school, while the other two were first-year teachers in a school setting with large numbers of English language learners. Informal interviews were conducted throughout the time of the study; semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of a semester of observation and recording of field notes. Some interviews attempted to uncover the beliefs teachers had about student learning, and in particular, that of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Teachers were asked about the influences and sources …

Discursive Practices In Underperforming Schools: Telling And Retelling Narratives Of Academic Failure, Leena Her

Leena N. Her

No abstract is currently available.

A Multi-Platform Application Suite For Enhancing South Asian Language Pedagogy, Tao Bai, Christopher K. Chung, Konstantin Läufer, Daisy Rockwell, George K. Thiruvathukal

Konstantin Läufer

This interdisciplinary project explores the potential for handheld/wireless (H/W) technology in the context of language education within and beyond the classroom. Specifically, we have designed and implemented a suite of multi-platform (desktop/laptop, handheld, and browser) applications to enhance the teaching of South Asian languages such as Hindi-Urdu. Such languages are very difficult to learn, let alone write, and H/W devices (with their handwriting/drawing capabilities) can play a significant role in overcoming the learning curve. The initial application suite includes a character/word tracer, a word splitter/joiner, a smart flashcard with audio, contextual augmented stories for reading comprehension, and a poetic metronome. …

Assessing And Instilling Hopefulness: A Case Study Of Swazi Youth, Connie Titone Dr., Laura Stefanik, Robert Mcnamara

connie titone

Hopefulness is a critical quality of human beings that provides us with the capacity to set goals and overcome adversity in the pursuit of those goals. Likewise, successful achievement of goals sustains hopefulness. High levels of hope can therefore positively affect a student’s education. The psychologist C.R. Snyder, a leading researcher of hope theory, developed the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS) to assess and analyze the state of hopefulness in children ages 8-17. This study expands on Snyder’s data by analyzing the results of the CHS administered to 38 students at an orphanage in Swaziland. The results presented here show that …

Breaking Down Barriers: Academic Obstacles Of First-Generation Students At Research Universities, Michael J. Stebleton, Krista Soria

Michael J. Stebleton

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived academic obstacles of first-generation (FG) students in comparison to non-FG students. Using the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) completed by 58,000 students from six research universities, the researchers used nonparametric bootstrapping to analyze differences between first-generation and non-first-generation students’ obstacles to academic success. The results suggest that first-generation students more frequently encounter obstacles that compromise their academic success as compared to non-first-generation students, such as job responsibilities, family responsibilities, perceived weak English and math skills, inadequate study skills, and feeling depressed. Implications for learning assistance professionals are outlined.

Student-Faculty And Peer Interactions Among Immigrant College Students Attending 4-Year Research Universities In The United States, Michael J. Stebleton, Krista M. Soria, Marina B. Aleixo, Ron L. Huesman

Michael J. Stebleton

The purpose of this study was to examine student-faculty and peer interactions among immigrant college students attending 4-year research universities in the United States. Using the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) completed by 58,000 students from six research universities, the researchers used analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analysis to explore differences between immigrant populations. The results suggest that there are significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant college students in terms of sense of belonging, faculty interactions, and peer interactions. There are also differences within immigrant waves and generational status. Implications and recommendations for educators in multicultural …

Reclaiming And Re-Visioning Indigenous Voices: The Case Of The Language, Edward Shizha

Edward Shizha

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of teaching science to rural primary school students using a second language (English) in Zimbabwe. The study also investigated the opinions and attitudes of primary school teachers toward teaching science using an indigenous language (chiShona). Qualitative data was collected using twenty classroom observations and interviews with ten purposely selected primary school teachers. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings revealed institutional and attitudinal barriers to using chiShona as a language of instruction in science teaching and learning. The results also showed that some teachers frustrate and silence students’ …

Inquiry Methods For Critical Consciousness And Self-Change, Edlyn V. Peña

Edlyn V. Peña

This study investigates faculty members' experiences in a 20-month inquiry project that provided them with structured opportunities to (a) interview students of color about their educational journey, and (b) meet with other faculty members as a collaborative inquiry team to discuss student interview findings. Changes in faculty members were documented through faculty interviews, observations of inquiry meetings, and faculty's reflective journal entries. Findings revealed that faculty members developed an intimate knowledge of students' experiences coupled with an understanding of the broader social implications of being a student of color. They developed a critical consciousness and practical knowledge that informed more …

The Arabic Language: A Sociolinguistic Study, Ahlam Alfouaim

Ahlam Alfouaim

It is very true that bilingualism boosts ones’ cognitive skills and increases ones’ executive system. A bilingual brain has the privileges to process languages and, sometimes, code switch unconsciously. Many bilingual speakers including ESL learners focus only on understanding and analyzing the target language, leaving behind understanding and embracing their own native language. The need to make a conscious sense of how we speak our native language, how others speak it, and how it is different or similar to other language varieties, is somehow misinterpreted. In other word, understanding ones’ mother tongue is vital for the progress of acquiring a …

The Critical Language Awareness Impact On Language Variation, Ahlam Alfouaim

Ahlam Alfouaim

The ideology of Critical Language Awareness is an integral part of any successful language education system. This area of specialization has played an important role in the development of sociolinguistics study. CLA expands substantially over a wide range of factors including language acquisition and variety, as well as human identity factors. Before diving into critical language awareness studies and its wide practices, the definition of CLA, according to Fiarcough, includes “how language conventions and language practices are invested with power relations and ideological process which people are often unaware of” (205). That is, language is not only a mean of …

Understanding The Basics Of Traditional Knowledge And Intellectual Property Rights In The Pacific Islands, Cresantia Frances Koya Vaka'uta

Cresantia Frances Koya Vaka'uta

No abstract provided.

The Personal As Political: 1 A Self-Reflective Essay On The Act Of Poetry Making And Creating The “1angrynative” Persona., Cresantia Frances Koya Vaka'uta

Cresantia Frances Koya Vaka'uta

No abstract provided.

One School: Preparing School Counselors To Assess For Cultural Competence, Rebecca L. Tadlock-Marlo

Rebecca L Tadlock-Marlo

Results from an in-depth quantitative analysis provide insight into redefining and assessing multicultural competencies specific to school counselors. Foci include new counseling competencies, an instrument that is both valid and reliable is assessing the competencies, and implications for both counselors and counselor educators. Attendees will explore aspects of assessing multicultural competencies, use for outcome data analysis, and its implications for the field.

Osmd: Cultural Competence Tool For Research, Education, And Practice, Rebecca L. Tadlock-Marlo, Danny Applegate

Rebecca L Tadlock-Marlo

Results from a mixed methods study provide insight into redefining multicultural counseling competencies specific to school counselors. Foci include new counseling competencies and implications for counselor educators. Attendees will explore aspects of multiculturalism, counseling competencies of school counselors, research implications, and its importance for the field. Also discussed will be applying information to the development of skills, knowledge, and awareness of counselors-in-training through specific pedagogical examples. Participant discussion is vital to this presentation to further discuss content area, explore redefining multiculturalism, and implications this research has for both practicing counselors and counselor educators. Attendees can expect to gain groundbreaking theory …