Digital Commons Network^™

Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) : A Model For English Language Learners, Edith L. Bakley

Graduate Research Papers

With so many second language learners entering our public schools, it is imperative that educators prepare themselves with training and strategies to best meet the needs of these students. The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, or SIOP Model, has been developed for the purpose of instructing English Language Learners (ELL) in mainstream classrooms and bestow effective methods for teaching all content areas, while promoting fluency of the English language. In this literature review, the components involved in the SIOP Model will be examined as well as the effects it has on second language learners and their ability with language fluency.

Home And School Literacy Partnerships : Building Stronger Tomorrows Hand In Hand, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

This project aims to bring quality literacy interactions into homes of young children. These literacy interactions are important because research has shown that quality literacy experiences during the early childhood years impact a child's emergent literacy learning. Because children are not yet in formal schooling, many of these interactions can take place in home so family involvement is critical. The project is threefold: (a) to increase the quantity and quality of literacy interactions in the home, (b) to help parents become more informed contributors of their children's emergent literacy development, and (c) to promote more family involvement and two-way communication …

How Does Home Literacy Help Children?, Katie Pick

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature paper focuses on the importance of home literacy programs. The literature shows the importance of parental involvement in their children's formal and informal educational process. Children who are exposed to home literacy have learned literacy better than children who are not. Many literacy activities for home are described. Many schools offer home literacy programs to assist parents within the home. This review of literature has implications for parents and teachers who try to implement home literacy.

Family Literacy Nights : Factors For Success, Crystal Betts

Graduate Research Papers

Family Literacy Nights were developed and held at a K-4 elementary building in a medium-sized town in eastern Iowa, demonstrating an example of part of a family literacy program. Family Literacy Nights involved parents and students from the two first grade classrooms at this elementary school. Parents completed surveys and participated in interviews to share their reactions and feelings towards family literacy programs.

The included literature review explores parental involvement and family literacy programs. It looks at the effects of parent involvement on student achievement. The difference between parent involvement programs and family literacy programs is explored. Family literacy programs …

Learning Languages In A Digital World, Aleidine Kramer Moeller, Janine M. Theiler

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Aleidine J. Moeller, Editor
Janine Theiler, Assistant Editor

I. Embracing Technology: Tools Teacher Can Use to Improve Language Learning — Introduction to the section: Frauke Hachtmann, Katie Hayes, Leyla Masmaliyeva, Malia Perkins

1 Rich Internet Applications for Language Learning — Dennie Hoopingarner and Vineet Bansal

2 Leveraging Podcasting for Language Learning — Dan Schmit

3 Using PowerPoint Templates to Enhance Student Presentations — J. Sanford Dugan

II. Teacher Education and Professional Development: Agents of Change — Introduction to the section: Silvia Betta and Janine Theiler

4 Preparing for the ACTFL/NCATE Program Report: Three Case Studies — Susan Colville-Hall, Bonnie Fonseca-Greber, …

Motivation In Language Learning: A Comparative Study Of Motivation In The Learning Of Irish And German Among Leaving Certificate Students, Seosamh Ó Cuinneagáin

Theses

This study investigates Leaving Certificate students’ attitudes to and motivation in the learning of Irish and German in 25-selected second level schools, of which five are Irish-medium schools, in Munster and Leinster. A historical overview of the two languages is presented to contextualise the study, as well as to provide a broad framework for the subsequent literature review, in which government policies towards the teaching and learning of Irish and German are examined. A twelve-scale questionnaire, consisting of 228 items, is employed as a data collection instrument to measure language attitudes and motivation. A modified version of the international quantitative …

Balanced Literacy Versus Basal Reading Instruction For Urban African-American, Title I Third-Grade Students, Julie Ann Perkins

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study compared third-grade reading achievement of urban African-American, Title I students using a basal reading series with those using a balanced literacy program to determine whether the highly structured skills-based methods advocated by The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act actually foster or impede reading achievement in an urban school setting.

Two hundred forty-five third-grade African-American, Title I students from an urban elementary school in southeastern Virginia served as subjects for the study. Subjects were studied as intact groups to avoid disruption in the educational setting. Participants in the control group were third-grade classes of urban African-American, Title I …

Engaging Students In The L2 Reading Process, Marcia L. Wilbur

Dimensions

This article will consider a necessary departure from more traditional paradigms, where speaking skills are the primary focus and in which reading is viewed as something intermediate or advanced learners do with authentic literature once they have mastered a particular level of grammatical structures. Instead, reading will be considered as an important component of L2 instruction that, when included along side other input modes, can enrich students’ second language acquisition. Concepts and strategies on which to build classroom practices as well as practical suggestions for implementing pre-, during-, and post-reading activities are included. Considerations that place learners at the center …

The Roads To Compostela: An Immersion Experience In Germany, France, And Spain, Steven M. Gardner, Carlos Mentley, Lisa F. Signori

Dimensions

Following a medieval pilgrimage route in Europe provides the student of languages with an exceptional opportunity for immersion in European language, culture, and history from the Middle Ages to the present. One of the most important of these is the Road to Santiago de Compostela. Although usually associated with Spain, pilgrimage routes to Santiago cross Germany and France as well. This article explains the rationale behind and outlines the preparations for an academically oriented undertaking of the German Jakobsweg, the French Chemin de St. Jacques, and the Spanish Camino de Santiago. It presents a cohesive linguistic and cultural program for …

Talking About Music:Ethnographic Interviews On Traditional Hispanic Songs, Paula Heusinkveld

Dimensions

This article proposes a variety of activities designed to enrich the study of authentic Hispanic music in the foreign language class. As an integral part of any lesson on a culturally authentic song, students interview native speakers, both in and out of class, to learn about the cultural context of various songs. Of special interest are songs that have strong associations with specific cultural practices, such as “Las mañanitas.” In other assignments, students interview native speakers about their musical tastes, seek out songs from native informants, and then share these songs with the class. The cultural information obtained from the …

Languages For Today’S World

Dimensions

SCOLT Dimensions Volume 41

Participant Reactions To Two-Way Immersion (Twi) Programs, Brett Frayseth, Carrie Lewis Miller, James Livermont, Melissa Siebke

IT Solutions Publications

The purpose of this study was to elicit participant reactions to two-way immersion (TWI) programs in the United States of America. A large number of recent studies have focused on instructor views and perspectives of two-way immersion programs, so this study aimed to gain insight from students who are, or who have, participated in TWI programs throughout North America.

One hundred fifty-one TWI schools throughout the United States were contacted and asked to participate in this study. Two similar surveys were developed, one for current TWI students, and another for former TWI students. Students from these two groups were asked …

Leaving Home: A Handbook For Teachers To Promote Critical Thinking, Leanne Molly Luehrs

All Graduate Projects

A handbook of instructional strategies connected to a text set theme for fourth grade teachers to promote critical thinking was developed. The handbook is intended for fourth grade teachers interested in promoting critical thinking through the use of children's literature. The text set theme, leaving home, was chosen and children's literature and curriculum was developed around this thematic focus. Library research, books, and the Internet aided in the development of this project. The studies showed the importance of developing critical thinking skills in elementary students. The studies also review theories pertinent to promote critical thinking and best practice.

Emergent Literacy Learning, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of literature was to look at research in the area of early literacy acquisition. A brief background on emergent literacy and how emergent literacy has impacted educational reform was discussed. The review of literature discussed research on emergent literacy development, in particular the skills that are appropriate for young children to acquire in preparation for entrance into formal schooling. A look at research about the influences on emergent literacy learning and the conditions that foster early literacy development was also discussed. The home factors influencing emergent literacy development and the conditions that foster early literacy …

Caught Or Taught : Development Of A Middle School Spelling Program, Jennie M. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

In this literature review, the author explored research studies and literature about literacy to learn more about spelling instruction. Although much research has been done in the area of spelling instruction, little has changed in spelling instruction in the typical middle school classroom (Templeton, 2002a).

This review gives a brief overview of the basic composition of the English language and the history of the teaching of spelling in the United States. Research is reviewed that deals with the acquisition of spelling based on the developmental spelling continuum (Bear, Invemizzi, Templeton & Johnston, 1996). The author explored the connection between reading, …

Sign To Learn : Sign Language As A Teaching Tool In Hearing Classrooms, Angela M. Schneden

Graduate Research Papers

This project examines using sign language as a multisensory learning tool in hearing classrooms. Included is a brief history of sign language in the United States as well as a review of different types of sign language. This project provides a rationale for incorporating sign language into the hearing classroom by examining the relationship between sign and gains in literacy achievement. The primary goal of using sign language in the classroom is for students to become better readers, writers, and spellers. This will be accomplished by teaching students to fingerspell and sign sight words. Research detailing use of sign in …

Suggested Core Materials For Early Childhood Programs, Erin Feingold

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine current available resources related to emergent literacy in order to create a core list of literature for early childhood center libraries. "Research suggests that the foundation for academic success is laid well before a child enters the public schools" (Smith, Fairchild, and Groginsky, 1997, p. ix). The researcher described past and present Federal initiatives that support these efforts. Current curriculum guidelines and recommendations from national organizations for early childhood learning centers were examined to determine what resources were needed to provide a framework for learning. Studies examined emphasized that exposing children to …

The Importance Of Vocabulary In The Classroom, Sherri Neofotist

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of the literature focused on two primary areas: (a) to examine the research findings as they related to vocabulary acquisition and instruction and (b) to determine the importance of the research findings regarding students' reading comprehension.This study also sought to provide educators with information as to what a comprehensive program of vocabulary instruction consists of as well as research-based vocabulary teaching strategies to use in the classroom to help students recognize and know words and word meanings and to improve students' comprehension.

The review examines the following three questions: (a) What is the relationship between …

Teaching Reading: Literature Review: A Review Of The Evidence-Based Research Literature On Approaches To The Teaching Of Literacy, Particularly Those That Are Effective In Assisting Students With Reading Difficulties, Ken Rowe, National Inquiry Into The Teaching Of Literacy (Australia)

School and system improvement

Underlying a key purpose of the present review is the conviction that claims about what constitute effective literacy teaching, and of reading in particular, should be grounded in findings from rigorous evidence-based research. To this end, the present review of the research literature on teaching practices for students, with and without reading difficulties, relies largely, though not exclusively, on well-designed meta analytic syntheses that: (a) partial out methodological artefacts from the effect sizes; and (b) base their analyses on the actual procedures and components of instruction used in the studies reviewed. Following a brief outline of the background and purposes …

Teaching Reading: Report And Recommendations, Ken Rowe, National Inquiry Into The Teaching Of Literacy (Australia)

School and system improvement

The objectives of the Inquiry were to review and analyse recent national and international research about literacy teaching approaches; identify the extent to which prospective teachers are provided with reading teaching approaches and skills that are effective in the classroom and have the opportunities to develop and practise the skills required to implement effective classroom reading programs; identify the ways in which research evidence on literacy teaching and policies in Australian schools can best inform classroom teaching practice and support teacher professional learning; examine the effectiveness of assessment methods being used to monitor the progress of students' early reading learning; …

Flarr Pages: Volume 1, Pages 1-43, Foreign Language Association Of The Red River

FLARR Pages

During Spring and Fall conferences of FLARR, since the Fall of 1994 (the organization holds joint meetings with MCTLC in the Spring), 159 presentations were were delivered. Of those talks, about one quarter were submitted to FLARR Pages and appear now in Volume #1. The journal articles are a sampling of the issues and concerns of the past decade. They represent, as do all the presentations (see Appendix A), the innovative ways in which faculty have responded to current demands and challenges of teaching, research, service, programming, and many other areas of professional life, both in the public schools and …

A Comparison Of Anonymous E-Peer Review Versus Identifiable E-Peer Review On College Student Writing Performance And Learning Satisfaction, Ruiling Lu

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of anonymous e-peer review with identifiable e-peer review on student writing performance and learning satisfaction. It also investigated whether anonymous e-peer review facilitated a greater amount of critical peer feedback.

Quasi-experimental design was used to test group differences on the dependent variables. Participants were 48 freshmen enrolled in two English Composition classes at Old Dominion University in the fall semester of 2003. The two intact classes taught by the same instructor were randomly assigned to the anonymous e-peer review group and the identifiable e-peer review group.

The results showed that …

Using Computer Translation Websites To Further The Objectives Of The Foreign Language Standards, David C. Alley

Dimensions

Inexperienced students of foreign languages often equate learning a language with translation. Armed with a bilingual dictionary, students convert their sophisticated English thoughts into tortured German, French, or Spanish. The widespread use of computer translation Web sites has only compounded this problem. Students’ reliance on translation as a primary strategy for foreign language learning reveals some fundamental misconceptions about language and translation. Standard 4.1 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (1999) states that comparisons of the target and native languages can help students better understand the language learning process and the limitations of translation. Ironically, …

Rebuilding A Dying Foreign Language Education Program, Karen Verkler

Dimensions

Handed an undergraduate foreign language education program that was dying and in danger of being eliminated from the curriculum of the College of Education at the University of Central Florida, the author was directed to rebuild it. The author shares the results of formative evaluation of the program and steps taken to effect program enhancement. The areas of revision were all-encompassing: revamping the program to reflect current teacher certification requirements, modifying course content to address current foreign language trends and research, changing the clinical experience to include K-8 levels, initiating program and course offering advertisement, improving the advisement of foreign …

Developing Vocabulary Beyond The Word, Marian M. Brodman

Dimensions

Research in second language acquisition has generated new knowledge about the operations of the brain and the way it facilitates the learning of vocabulary. In addition, the field of corpus linguistics has brought us new information about words and the ways in which they are used in texts—their frequency, the words often occurring with them in the same text, and their syntactical features. The article will discuss the implications of this language acquisition research for second language teachers as they assist their students in developing knowledge of the lexis. Going beyond the word to prefabricated phrases and word associations can …

Effects Of Flex Programs On Elementary Students’ Attitudes Towards Foreign Languages And Cultures, Krista S. Chambless

Dimensions

A recent study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of early foreign language programs on elementary school children’s attitudes and motivation to learn a foreign language. Specifically, the researcher investigated the impact of a 3-week foreign language exploratory (FLEX) program, the Small World Program, on students’ attitudes toward the languages and cultures that had been studied, as well as those that had not been studied. The researcher further assessed the impact of the FLEX program on the individual students’ desire to engage in further foreign language learning. Finally, the study compared attitudes of the FLEX program participants with those of …

Languages And Language Learners

Dimensions

SCOLT Dimensions Volume 40

The Reading Process: Realistic Expectations For Reading In Lower-Level Language Courses, Robert M. Terry

Dimensions

Teaching reading in lower-level language courses does not mean teaching classical literary texts to students who are just beginning to learn the intricacies of another language. We must separate the pragmatic realities of introducing students to a new language, of delving into a text written in that language, and of understanding the essence of the author’s message from the cognitive performance of analyzing a text and of being able to read between the lines. Students will begin to reach the level of reading abilities that we anticipate and expect in upper-level courses only when they have been taught how to …

Improving Foreign Language Writing Competence, Carmen Schlig

Dimensions

Process writing has long been used in English-language composition and English as a Second Language courses, and in recent years it has been adopted in foreign language classes as well. Nevertheless, many teachers and learners still see foreign language writing as an exercise in perfecting grammar and vocabulary. Explicit instruction on the process of insightful writing is unusual in the foreign language classroom. This article presents a study of third-year Spanish courses and addresses (1) whether the different modalities of error correction promote improvement of writing skills and (2) whether students’ awareness of the processes of reading and writing favors …

Graduate Teaching Assistant Training: Pathways To Success, Darrell J. Dernoshek, Lara C. Ducate

Dimensions

Graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training is integral to the successful operation of introductory foreign language (FL) classes at many post-secondary institutions. Addressing the improvement of GTA supervision and the overall quality of introductory-level language classes, this study consists first of an overview of the most current practices in GTA training in the United States. The second part of the article presents the parameters of the qualitative study on GTAs in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC Columbia). The study itself consists of the following: (1) peer observations of GTAs, in which the …