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Full-Text Articles in Education
Examining The Effectiveness Of An Esl Teacher Observation Tool, Hetal Ascher
Examining The Effectiveness Of An Esl Teacher Observation Tool, Hetal Ascher
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This research investigates the effectiveness of a teacher created ESL teacher observation tool. This paper argues that although commonly used tools such as the Charlotte Danielson Framework (2013) exist, they do not fully meet the needs of ESL teachers. A mixed methods study was conducted in order to compare the Charlotte Danielson (2013) rubric to the ESL Teacher Observation Tool in terms of language related feedback. Principals from a Midwestern school district conducted evaluations based on a video clip using both tools, and subsequently, principals were interviewed. The ESL Teacher Observation Tool appeared to yield more language-instruction related feedback in …
Do You Have A Learning Disability?: Exploring The Experiences Of Hmong Students With Special Needs In A Public Hmong Charter School, Vang Xiong
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Special education has been criticized for the practice of over-representing culturally and linguistically diverse students in special education programs. Asian American students appeared to be immune to this problem. However, when the demographics of the Asian racial group are disaggregated into individual Asian ethnic groups, there is evident of disproportionality. The purpose of the study was to explore how a charter school, serving predominantly Hmong students, addresses the issue of disproportionality pertaining to the Hmong population. Through an ethnographic research approach, the researcher engaged in participant-observation, interviewing three tenth-grade, Hmong male students, and five school staff members. The researcher found …
Leveraging Writing Routines To Increase Achievement Of English Learners In Science, Monica Grubb
Leveraging Writing Routines To Increase Achievement Of English Learners In Science, Monica Grubb
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Two research questions were investigated in this case study: How are 5th grade ELs’ performances on an objective portion of a science quiz on erosion and deposition affected after discussing concepts with a teacher and writing about these concepts? How are 5th grade ELs’ written explanations of erosion and deposition and use of genre-specific language structures affected after conferencing with a teacher about these concepts? Science literacy is for all, but many ELs struggle to learn science content. The literature points to academic language of science and its hierarchical knowledge structures as barriers to learning. Best practices to support ELs …
Teaching And Learning Pragmatics And Speech Acts: An Instructional Pragmatics Curriculum Development Project For Efl Learners, Bridget Borer
Teaching And Learning Pragmatics And Speech Acts: An Instructional Pragmatics Curriculum Development Project For Efl Learners, Bridget Borer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The intent of this curriculum development project is the advancement of instructional pragmatics as a component of interlanguage pragmatic development. The guiding question underlying this project is: What might an instructional pragmatics curriculum for adult EFL learners look like? Pragmatics as a level of linguistics is concerned with language use in context. The research for this project focused on concepts in pragmatics such as Speech Act Theory, especially the expressive speech act of apologizing, interlanguage pragmatics, and instructional pragmatics. This curriculum project was designed for teaching and learning concepts in pragmatics and developing English learner pragmatic competence when performing apologies …
Breaking The Silence For Long-Term English Learners With Risa Oral Interactions, Emily Noel
Breaking The Silence For Long-Term English Learners With Risa Oral Interactions, Emily Noel
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was: how do RISA Oral Interactions increase LTEL’s participation, engagement, and academic language? Long Term English Learners (LTELs) are an underserved and growing population of students in the United States. These are students who are typically second generation immigrants, two to three grade levels behind and have made very little growth in acquiring academic English proficiency. In order to add to the very little research available on this population of students, the researcher wished to evaluate how a social constructivist strategy would impact learning. RISA Oral Interactions is a cooperative discussion framework developed …
The Attitudinal And Motivational Effects Of Extensive Reading On Adult Ells In A Non-Intensive Abe/Esl Program, Jason Garvey
The Attitudinal And Motivational Effects Of Extensive Reading On Adult Ells In A Non-Intensive Abe/Esl Program, Jason Garvey
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
This study examined the extent to which extensive reading (ER) coupled with sustained silent reading (SSR) impacts the attitudes and motivation toward L2 reading of adult ELLs in a non- intensive ABE/ESL program. While participating in a nine-week SSR program, 17 learners were asked to provide their perceptions of the program and the practice of ER via pretest/posttest questionnaires, weekly reading logs, and semi-structured interviews. In addition to increasing their group average weekly time spent reading for pleasure in English outside of class by 113 minutes, the participants reported that they (1) felt more confident in their L2 acquisition; (2) …
Promoting Effective Language Development In English Language Learners Through A School Garden-Based Curriculum, Krista Steffen
Promoting Effective Language Development In English Language Learners Through A School Garden-Based Curriculum, Krista Steffen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question for this project was, how does interacting with a school garden-based curriculum promote more effective language development for English Language Learner (ELL) students? The goal of this project was to design a language-focused curriculum for ELL students to be delivered through the hands-on learning that happens in a school garden. Bringing research from experts in ELL together with studies focused on science and outdoor education, eight best practices were unearthed from the research that guided the development of the project. The best practices included: using additional instructional supports, combining strategies for maximum impact, embedding language instruction and …
The Effects Of Using Morphemic Analysis On Comprehension Of Unknown Academic Vocabulary, Jon Avery
The Effects Of Using Morphemic Analysis On Comprehension Of Unknown Academic Vocabulary, Jon Avery
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Despite the vast amount of research on morphemes and literacy, examination of how morphemic analysis affects secondary language learners is limited. Morphemic analysis is the process of using common Latin and Greek prefixes, roots and suffixes to hypothesize the meaning of unknown vocabulary. The primary purpose of the research is to determine how morphemic analysis affects English learners ability to determine the meaning of unknown academic vocabulary in their high school advanced placement geography class. The secondary purpose of the study is to provide secondary teachers a tool to do something about the vocabulary gap they observe between native speakers …
A Curriculum And Instruction Resource For Teachers Of Low-Literacy Adult English Language Learners: Incorporating Reading Standards Foundational Skills For Low-Literacy Esl, Mya Shaftel
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question addressed in this project was, how does a teacher of non-literate and low-literacy adult English language learners align instruction with college and career-readiness standards? The author analyzed the Reading Standards Foundational Skills from the College and Career Readiness Standards (USDE, 2013). Through the lens of SLA theory, the author took into consideration how native language literacy, age, and trauma factor into learning for non-literate and low-literacy adult ESL learners. Similarly, the author relied on existing research in instructional strategies for low-literacy adults to inform curriculum and instruction. This project implements systematic and sequential classroom activities around the …
How Can Embedded Grammar Instruction Support Student Writing?, Lucia Marincel
How Can Embedded Grammar Instruction Support Student Writing?, Lucia Marincel
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This paper seeks to answer the question, how can grammar instruction embedded into Writer’s Workshop help both ELs and non-ELs meet the Common Core State Standards for language conventions? Using a Functional Linguistic Model, the author designed Writing Workshop grammar lessons based on three Language Conventions from the Common Core State Standards, using adverbs, creating compound sentences, and forming contractions. The author then taught these conventions through the workshop model and analyzed the use of these structures before and after the teaching through the use a rubric score of the pretest and test. The study included a mixed method approach, …
The Impact Of Risa Oral Interactions On The Acquisition Of Scientific Classification Language For Slife, James Bordewick
The Impact Of Risa Oral Interactions On The Acquisition Of Scientific Classification Language For Slife, James Bordewick
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This research explored the effects of using structured oral interactions as a scaffolding technique on the use and development of scientific classification language and the ability to engage in cognitively more complex academic tasks for students with limited or interrupted formal education. The study took place during a vertebrates unit in an EL newcomers science classroom. Students engaged in an intervention of two cycles of routinized, content-integrated, structured academic (RISA) oral interactions. Students were tasked to classify animals and to record video samples from the prompt, “What kind of animal is this? How do you know?” before and after the …
From Orality To Literacy: Funds Of Knowledge Of Somali Newcomers, Charity Kroeker Calubayan
From Orality To Literacy: Funds Of Knowledge Of Somali Newcomers, Charity Kroeker Calubayan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study addresses the following questions: What funds of knowledge do newcomer students from oral cultures, specifically Somali students, possess? How does this knowledge relate to orality and literacy? Through open-ended interviews with three Somali newcomer families and a Somali outreach worker, four areas of funds of knowledge emerge: the ability to process detailed information mentally; poetry as an oral art; caring for the household through familial roles; and caring for others through fostering relationships. Each of these areas is linked to the oral, concrete, and communal way of life inherent to oral cultures and contrasted with the print-based, abstract, …
Improving Reading Comprehension And Oral Proficiency Through The Use Of Literature Circles, Glorimar Rodriguez
Improving Reading Comprehension And Oral Proficiency Through The Use Of Literature Circles, Glorimar Rodriguez
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question addressed is, how can literature circles be used to improve fluency and reading comprehension while allowing students to actively communicate in the target language? Oral practice of English in Puerto Rico is a topic of struggle for most who learn English since infancy but are not provided opportunities for oral practice outside of the language classroom. English learners need an environment where they can practice the language, skills and tools learned in the classroom. Literature circles provide students with an environment conducive to oral communication and active participation. Students take ownership of their learning and integrate themselves …
Fossilization Of L And R Phonemes And Effective Pronunciation Teaching Practices For Adult English Language Students, Sacha Chandavong
Fossilization Of L And R Phonemes And Effective Pronunciation Teaching Practices For Adult English Language Students, Sacha Chandavong
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question answered in this paper was, in order to implement effective pronunciation instruction, to what extent does fossilization affect adult learners' ability to acquire another language? The concluding research found that despite adult English learners’ (EL) long exposure to the target language, some ELs find themselves unable to progress in their second language development due to fossilization. Thus, ultimate attainment to achieve native-like comprehensibility becomes difficult, but not impossible. The literature researches the details of fossilization, phonemic awareness, and best approaches for pronunciation instruction in the classroom. The paper includes a complementary curriculum project that comprises /l/ and …
Traumatized Refugee Students In Our Classroom, Ayan Mohamed
Traumatized Refugee Students In Our Classroom, Ayan Mohamed
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The paper seeks to research the question, what are some best practices to implement in the classroom to support refugee students who endure trauma? It explores the research on adverse childhood trauma, its effect on brain development and impact on refugee students. Furthermore, the paper highlights some best teaching practices for those who work with traumatized refugee students in schools. The information from the resources is presented in brochure format to address the needs for teacher to support traumatized refugee students. The informational brochures are resources developed for classroom teachers to have in their classroom.
Thematic, Interdisciplinary Curricular Unit Developed For Fourth Grade On ‘The Science And Engineering Of Slime, Laura Johnston
Thematic, Interdisciplinary Curricular Unit Developed For Fourth Grade On ‘The Science And Engineering Of Slime, Laura Johnston
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
Teaching literacy units based on language arts standards alone can leave some students lacking background knowledge and vocabulary that is necessary to deeply comprehend what they read. This reality led to the asking of the research question What is the impact of thematic, interdisciplinary teaching on students’ reading engagement and achievement in a language immersion setting? A review of pertinent literature was conducted regarding thematic, interdisciplinary instructional methodology, content area literacy, research-based practices for multilingual learners, and student engagement. In response, a thematic, interdisciplinary curricular unit capstone project was developed to provide students a learning context for literacy tasks. The …
Adapting Tools To Measure Students' Affective Filter For The Elementary Dual-Immersion Context, Megan Frutiger
Adapting Tools To Measure Students' Affective Filter For The Elementary Dual-Immersion Context, Megan Frutiger
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The purpose of this study was to discover what tools were available to educators to measure students’ affective filter; it further sought to adapt current tools for use in the Spanish-English dual-immersion elementary context. Research revealed that R. C. Gardner developed a measure called the Anxiety and Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) in 1985. Another measure, the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) had been developed by Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope in 1986. For this project, these two measures were synthesized and adapted for the elementary dual- immersion context. Careful attention was given to each survey item to ensure that it …
Increasing Target Language Input For L2 Students: Strategies For Success In Classroom-Based Language Acquisition, Katie Schmidt
Increasing Target Language Input For L2 Students: Strategies For Success In Classroom-Based Language Acquisition, Katie Schmidt
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question investigated in this project was, in what ways can teachers enhance language input for L2 students in classroom-based language acquisition? Generally, students do not get sufficient exposure to the target language in the average classroom setting. This project explores the role of input/exposure on language acquisition and success. The research in this capstone provides evidence for the importance of strong language input as well as other factors that attribute to language acquisition. By closely analyzing the studies completed in the classroom, a clear connection was found between language input and interaction. The curriculum created for this project …
The Pragmatics Of Politeness As Expressed By Native Arabic-Speaking English Learners, Michael Marn
The Pragmatics Of Politeness As Expressed By Native Arabic-Speaking English Learners, Michael Marn
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question addressed in this project was, what are the areas of pragmatic difficulty for adult, native Arabic-speaking English learners when expressing politeness in English in ESL settings? Research of literature on the topic, accounts by cultural informants, and the author’s observations as an instructor of adult, native Arabic- speaking ELs informed five areas targeted for lessons in a pragmatics education seminar designed for this group—compliments, requests, inter-familial communication, communication between the sexes, and euphemisms. The author documents the details of the seminar lessons, which use a variety of student-centered instruction based on authentic language samples as advocated by …