Modern Languages Commons^™

El Poder De La Tutoría En Pares Bilingües Durante La Enseñanza De Ciencia: Diseñando Oportunidades Para Explicar, María G. Arreguín-Anderson, Zulmaris Diaz, Jose A. Ruiz-Escalante

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

En este artículo se propone la utilización de la tutoría en pares como estrategia para facilitar la elaboración de explicaciones mientras se aprende la ciencia. Los autores argumentan que, sistemáticamente incluida dentro de la instrucción, la tutoría en pares permite que un estudiante con mayor dominio de la materia auxilie a un compañero en el aprendizaje de la ciencia al mismo tiempo que ambos se involucran en la práctica de todas las destrezas del lenguaje. A manera de ilustración, los autores narran cómo una lección de ciencias naturales se enriqueció con dos estrategias de tutoría: parejas de discusión guiada y …

Latino/A Student (Efficacy) Expectations: Reacting And Adjusting To A Writing-About-Writing Curriculum Change At An Hispanic Serving Institution, I. Moriah Mccracken, Valerie A. Ortiz

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Using data from two surveys and end-of-semester reflections, researchers learned that students enrolled in writing-about-writing (WAW) courses are initially intimidated by the demands of a WAW curriculum, but the students’ perceived inability to complete the requirements contradicted survey data and final written reflections. Ongoing public conversations surrounding WAW curriculum and movement may lead faculty working with high at-risk populations, including but not limited to Latino/as, hesitant to adapt this approach, but the researchers challenge these perceptions and call for additional research to confirm that students who complete WAW courses have an increased sense of self-efficacy towards academic writing.

Cultivating Bilingual Learners’ Language Arts Knowledge: A Framework For Successful Teaching, Isela Almaguer, J. Joy Esquierdo

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

It is essential to support bilingual learners’ language and academic development; however, teaching second language learners English has taken precedence over teaching content area knowledge and vocabulary, specifically for language arts. The focus has shifted from content area instruction to primarily second language instruction due to an increasingly diverse population and an increasing number of bilingual learners in formal school settings. This article introduces a framework for accomplishing both linguistic and content literacy simultaneously. The framework takes into account the four elements of the principles of learning, learner appropriate pedagogy, contextual interaction theory, student language (L1/L2) proficiency level, and a …

Why Did I Ask That Question? Bilingual/Esl Pre-Service Teachers’ Insights, Zulmaris Diaz, Michael Whitacre, J. Joy Esquierdo, Jose A. Ruiz-Escalante

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Questioning techniques have historically been considered the measurement by which teachers challenge and gauge student learning. Much has been said about questioning strategies used by teachers; yet little is known about the strategies used by pre-service teachers, especially those that are working with English language learners. This study presents findings from a qualitative study that explored what types of questions pre-service teachers use and their reflections on the use of such strategies. Eight bilingual/ESL pre-service teachers in South Texas were videotaped during a math and a language arts lesson, attended focus groups, and participated in an exit interview. The findings …

Promising Pedagogical Practices For Emergent Bilinguals In Kindergarten: Towards A Mathematics Discourse Community, Sandra I. Musanti, Sylvia Celedón-Pattichis

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

In the current U.S. context, it is relevant to disseminate research that portrays in detail how bilingual teachers create challenging and safe mathematics learning environments for emergent bilinguals. It is critical to identify pedagogical approaches that foster emergent bilinguals’ participation in mathematics conversations and discourse practices where language is considered a pedagogical resource. This is possible when teachers understand that young Latino/a students come to school with a wide range of cognitive and linguistic tools, which they can use to help them make sense of problems posed in the classroom. Using case study methodology, we define and provide a detailed …

Translating For Linguistic Minorities In Northern Ireland: A Look At Translation Policy In The Judiciary, Healthcare, And Local Government, Gabriel Gonzalez Nunez

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Europe as a multilingual continent hosts three main types of languages: dominant languages, autochthonous minority languages, and new minority languages. From a policy standpoint, planning for speakers of these languages and their needs become a complex matter in which many actors with different interests are involved. Of the many issues which policy-makers must deal with, the role of translation is often unexplored. However, in any multilingual territory, the adoption of a language policy implies decisions whether to translate or not. With that understanding, this paper explores the role of translation in language policy in Northern Ireland. By doing so, we …

The Use Of A Virtual Guest Speaker As A Catalyst For Deep Learning, Alcione N. Ostorga, Peter Farruggio

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Teaching undergraduate students as they prepare to become bilingual teachers is often a challenge due to their maturational development and the logistical limitations of college courses. Nevertheless, teacher educators must foster preservice teachers’ understanding of factors that impact learning and academic success. This article analyses the use of a virtual guest speaker in an asynchronous discussion as a way to promote critical analysis of policy issues which superseded the memorization of concepts taught in the course. Analysis reveals that the virtual guest speaker served as a catalyst for critical thought about the course content.

An Ecological View Of Language Choice In A Bilingual Program: A Dynamic Model Of Social Structures, Katherine Christoffersen

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

The present paper proposes a Dynamic Model of Social Structures as a model of language choice which highlights and synthesizes two significant themes repeated throughout the history of language choice research: agency and function. This model stems from ecological frameworks advanced in the fields of language planning (Hornberger, 2002) and language learning (Lam, 2007). Central to the model is the notion of language as a social structure (Gafaranga, 2005) among infinite other social structures (e.g., broader society, social network, local context, and individual linguistic behaviors). The Dynamic Model of Social Structures integrates the concept of agency and function in demonstrating …

Pre-Service Teachers: An Analysis Of Reading Instruction In High Needs Districts Dual Language Classrooms, Michael Whitacre, Zulmaris Diaz, J. Joy Esquierdo

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Pre-service teachers need opportunities to apply theory and connect to best practices as they teach in classroom settings be it, whole or small group. For many pre-service teachers often times their experience is limited to simply watching instruction or working with small groups of students (Pryor & Kuhn, 2004). The student teaching experience is a critical component of the teacher preparation program. Through the use of the English Language Learner Classroom Observation Instrument (ELLCOI), and researcher observation the hope is that these will aid in bringing to light the instructional activities used by pre-service teachers during reading instruction with ELLs. …

An Analysis Of Sempre, Mesmo And Bem:Brazilian Portuguese Word Order As Applied To Efl Instruction, Katherine Christoffersen

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

The aim of this paper is to present a contrastive analysis of three high frequency words, sempre ‘always’, mesmo ‘even/really’, and bem ‘well’, in order to inform the instruction of Brazilian Portuguese speakers in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. This work is largely inspired by Ambar, (2008) who compares these same three adverbs’ semantic and syntactic expression in European and Brazilian Portuguese. A multifactorial approach (Costa, 2004) to the analysis of these English/Brazilian Portuguese words demonstrates how the syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning) are inextricably linked and interdependent. While this paper focuses on adverbs, the analysis …

Translating To Communicate With Linguistic Minorities: State Obligations Under International Law, Gabriel Gonzalez Nunez

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

In the on-going debate about language rights, the role of translation remains somewhat of a blind spot. And yet, because there are very few truly monolingual societies in the world, any language policy implies a translation policy. Translation policies will vary from place to place, and they are often the result of ad hoc choices by policy makers at the local level. Even so, by looking at international law, we can find a sort of lowest common denominator for what is to be expected of translation policies. Sources of international law that can have an effect in shaping domestic policies …

Neoliberal Teacher Preparation: Conceptualising A Response In The Us Borderlands, Michael D. Guerrero, Peter Farruggio

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

The current era of neoliberal capitalism has witnessed the domination of public education by business interests which openly promote the spirit of competition among schools, educators and students through a policy of high stakes accountability for immediately measurable educational outcomes. In the USA, this policy proposes to make teacher educator programmes accountable for the impact of their programme completers on student achievement, namely standardised test scores. Consequently, some programmes have begun to rethink their practices in an effort to avoid negative sanctions. Unfortunately, little empirical evidence of improvement is available to teacher educators, particularly those committed to the preparation of …

Reflexiones Sobre Lenguaje, Cultura Y Equidad En La Enseñanza De Matemáticas En Una Escuela Primaria Bilingüe De Estados Unidos, Sandra I. Musanti, Sylvia Celedón-Pattichis, Mary E. Marshall

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Esta investigación cualitativa explora las prácticas y percepciones de dos maestras (K-1), así como los asuntos de equidad implícitos en la integración curricular de problemas de matemáticas contextualizados para adecuar la enseñanza de estudiantes latinos que están aprendiendo inglés como segunda lengua. Este estudio se basa en tres enfoques: el enfoque cognitivo guiado de la enseñanza de matemáticas, el lenguaje y la cultura como recursos pedagógicos, y la enseñanza de matemáticas para la equidad. La investigación se desarrolla en el contexto de una iniciativa de desarrollo profesional situado entre maestras bilingües e investigadoras en una escuela primaria del suroeste de …

"Oh, Those Loud Black Girls!": A Phenomenological Study Of Black Girls Talking With An Attitude, Jacqueline B. Koonce

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Current research suggests that it is imperative for researchers and educators to pay more attention to the needs of African American adolescent girls and how their race and gender affect schooling (Fordham, 1993; Morris, 2007). The purpose of this study was to highlight the lived experiences of two African American adolescent girls when they used the African American women's speech practice, "Talking with an Attitude" (TWA), with their teachers. Using phenomenology and Afrocentric feminist epistemology as methodological and theoretical approaches, interviews were used to collect and analyze data that revealed the nature of their lived experiences. Van Manen's description of …

Mentor Texts And Funds Of Knowledge: Situating Writing Within Our Students’ Worlds, Beatrice Mendez Newman

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

The funds of knowledge concept serves as scaffolding for encouraging students to draw on background experiences and home language to generate authentic writing. This article describes and illustrates several classroom strategies, including 1) using culturally relevant mentor texts; 2) applying Nancie Atwell’s writing territories concept; 3) adapting Harry Noden’s Image Grammar; and 4) introducing cubing as a discovery strategy.

Consumos Culturales Digitales: Jóvenes De 13 A 18 Años, Monica Pini, Sandra I. Musanti, Guillermo Kaufman, Mónica Amaré

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

La información que se produce y circula en Internet, el crecimiento sostenido del número de usuarios conectados y el modo en que todos los participantes se apropian de este universo online describen el escenario actual. La escuela, que ya hace tiempo disputa con los medios la tarea de socializar a niños y adolescentes, tiene que buscar nuevas estrategias frente a la incesante multiplicación tecnológica y su penetración en todos los intersticios de la vida cotidiana. El presente trabajo elabora un estado del arte de las prácticas digitales de los jóvenes desde la teoría de los consumos culturales, con especial referencia …

Taking Another Look At Struggling Adolescent Readers, Melissa Brooks-Yip, Jacqueline B. Koonce

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Illusion Of Transparency At An Hsi: Rethinking Service And Public Identity In A South Texas Writing Program, Jonikka Charlton, Colin Charlton

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Technology Integration In Teaching Action Research, Alcione N. Ostorga

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This article describes an instructional model designed to teach action research to undergraduate preservice teachers, which uses technology integration to facilitate the learning process that incorporates face to face and distance learning methods. First, a theoretical overview of the instructional design is provided then the instructional model is described. The course design is analyzed through the use of Moore's levels of interaction. Finally, the author discusses the conclusions and implications for future research.

Collaboration And Teacher Development: Unpacking Resistance, Constructing Knowledge, And Navigating Identities, Sandra I. Musanti, Lucretia Pence

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This article presents a study of the Collaboration Centers Project (CCP), which is a pseudonym for a three-year, federally-funded program that focused on helping in-service teachers better address the needs of English language learners (ELLs) in their classrooms. The CCP is important to study because of its clear intention to integrate real teachers--their understandings, voices, selves, and practices--into professional development by providing an experiential, collaborative and school-centered context for ongoing reflection on teachers' practice. It is important to understand the complexities of teacher development in the context of a project that sought to break with the short-term transmission model that …

Teacher Education And Professional Development In The Context Of Argentinean Educational Policies: Current Trends And Challenges, Monica Pini, Sandra I. Musanti, Jorge Gorostiaga, Myriam Feldfeber, Dalila Andrade Oliveira

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the trends and challenges in teacher education and teacher professional development in the context of recent Argentinean educational reforms. This chapter synthesizes several of our studies on the matter. First we analyze the implications of teacher education as a political project, discuss the central components of the educational policies that characterize this century and the present features of the teaching force. Secondly, we discuss the process of educational reform in the 90´s and the impact of international agencies in the main policy decisions in Argentina. In addition, we discuss the new scenario …

Culturally Relevant Books: Connecting Hispanic Students To The Curriculum, Alma D. Rodríguez

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Minority students in the United States (US) need to connect with the curriculum in order to have a meaningful schooling experience. This paper promotes the integration of culturally relevant books into the bilingual and English as a second language (ESL) curriculum for Hispanic English language learners (ELLs). A study was conducted with bilingual and ESL pre-service teachers who learned about the benefits of using culturally relevant books in their teacher preparation program. Pre-service teachers realized that culturally relevant books connect Hispanic ELLs to the curriculum and engage them in reading. Through the study, participants gained confidence working with ELLs and …

The Corrido: A Border Rhetoric, Mark Noe

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Living Authors, Living Stories: Integrating Local Authors Into Our Curriculum, Beatrice Méndez-Newman

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

Newman shows why it’s important to bring real authors to the classroom and demonstrates a variety of related student activities.

Literacidad Crítica Y Literatura Culturalmente Relevante: Una Combinación Que Empodera A Los Aprendices De Inglés [Critical Literacy And Culturally Relevant Literature: A Combination That Empowers English Learners], Alma D. Rodríguez, José Manuel Ocampo

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Este artículo propone el uso de literatura culturalmente relevante para desarrollar la literacidad crítica como parte de la enseñanza de inglés como segunda lengua o lengua extranjera. Así mismo, explica el método de lectura creativa, un enfoque holístico de la formación en literacidad, desarrollado por Alma Flor Ada, para proporcionar a los aprendices de inglés una formación en literacidad crítica. Además, sugiere cómo usar literatura culturalmente relevante en la aplicación de dicho método de lectura.

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This paper proposes the use of culturally relevant literature in order to develop critical literacy as part of teaching English as a second or …

Teachers Of Latino Students Reflect On The Implementation Of A Mathematical Task, Leslie H. Kahn, Sandra I. Musanti, Laura Kondek Mcleman, José María Menéndez-Gómez, Barbara Trujillo

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Teachers in two multi-grade study groups in elementary schools with large populations of Latino students reflect on the implementation of an open-ended mathematical task. IN this research, interviews and study group discussions provide the teachers’ reflections on the implementation of the task and on their practices in general that create learning environments for their Latino students. Multiple categories representing the teacher reflections were developed and our focus is on those practices that teachers consider effective and specific factors that impact practice. The design of this study proved to be especially useful in promoting teacher reflective conversation.

The Use Of Web-Based Tools To Teach Action Research: A Developing Instructional Model For Teacher Researchers, Veronica L. Estrada, Alcione N. Ostorga

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Given the present demands for teacher accountability, it is imperative that teacher preparation programs prepare teachers by developing their ability to reflect deeply about their practices and to seek better approaches in instruction. Action research offers a possible means of promoting critical reflectivity prior to graduation. However, undergraduates have not yet been exposed to the ways of research to make their inquiries systematic and their conclusions reliable and valid. As proponents of the development of teachers who are reflective practitioners, we had two purposes for embarking on this research project: 1. to engage in our own action research to develop …

Young Latino Students' Learning In Problem-Based Reform Mathematics Classrooms: Developing Mathematical Thinking And Communication, Mary Marshall, Sandra I. Musanti, Sylvia Celedón-Pattichis

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

This study explores how Latino first grade students develop mathematical problem solving and communication in their native language. Problem types came from Cognitively Guided Instruction (Carpenter et al. 1999) and were embedded in students’ cultural and linguisticexperiences. Findings show students solved a wide range of CGI problems and developed confidence, flexibility, and sophistication in their strategies and explanations.

Miguel Hernández, Lacan Y La Búsqueda Del Yo Poético, Jose M. Davila-Montes

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

La obra del poeta español Miguel Hernández (1910-1942) se estudia a menudo bajo la marcada influencia de su impactante biografía. Este artículo propone un análisis del yo poético de este autor mediante el sometimiento de algunos de sus poemas «marginales» al constructo psicoanalítico de Jacques Lacan (1901-1981). Así, se intenta someter a escrutinio la constitución del yo poético del autor mediante la selección de un número reducido, mas representativo, de conceptos lacanianos y la aplicación de éstos a una serie de poemas que no suelen considerarse «capitales» en la producción de hernandiana, todo ello bajo el principio psicoanalítico de la …

Developing Teachers Who Are Reflective Practitioners: A Complex Process, Alcione N. Ostorga

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

Teachers everywhere are being held accountable for their professional actions through the test-driven curricula sweeping the nation. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, 2002) makes it clear that promotion of reflective practice is an important component of teacher education programs. This multiple case study examines the relationship between epistemic stances and reflective thinking using a set of theories and instruments that allowed for the analysis of these constructs. The participants' epistemic stances were examined through the use of instruments developed by Baxter-Magolda (1992) while the qualitative aspects of reflective thinking were examined through the use of …