Education Commons^™

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. …

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 …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

Young Adult Saudi Learners With Low-Level Literacy, Randy Allen Heuring

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The guiding question addressed in this curriculum project was, how should phonics be used to improve the English acquisition success rate of Saudi military students? It documents the design and creation of a specialized unit that takes into account all aspects of student learning based on prior knowledge, educational background, cultural values, interest, and motivation. The author integrates newly developed, modified, and existing curriculum, based on relevant research into the methods. The author documents the details of the unit and uses related research literature to construct meaning and validate the curriculum. He describes both success and struggles in implementing the …

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

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 …

What Teaching Approach In An Online English Class Is Effective In Improving Guatemalan Business Professionals’ Oral Use Of The Language, Erin Raxon

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The motivation behind this capstone was to create a curriculum unit plan specifically for Guatemalan business professionals wanting to learn oral English in an effective way. This capstone looks at the online learning setting, curriculum models, class size, adult learning, and Guatemalan culture. Based on this research and a questionnaire answered by business professionals in Guatemala City, a curriculum plan is designed. The limitations (and implications) of this curriculum plan are assessed. The curriculum plan is pending implementation.

A Study Of How The Components Of Effective Co-Teaching Are Implemented In Middle School Content Area Classrooms In One Suburban School District, Kathryn Rose Burley

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this study was, how are the components of effective co-teaching implemented in middle school content area classrooms in my district? It identifies what research has found to be the necessary components for implementing effective co-teaching. The author documents feedback from teachers in middle school co-teaching partnerships about how co-teaching is being implemented in this district. Findings suggest that this district has room for growth in using these components for effective co-teaching, with a focus on joint planning time, professional development opportunities, and administrative support. Implications for further research include how co-teaching differs across age and …

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Effectiveness Of Direct Instruction In Increasing English Reading Fluency For Arabic Speaking English Language Learner Students In Qatar: A Research Case Study, Jared Andrew Lorence

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, what effect does Direct Instruction reading curriculum have on improving the reading fluency of Arabic speaking, English language middle school students? It documents one teacher’s experience and results using Direct Instruction reading curricula to improve reading fluency and comprehension of Qatari English Learner students. The author provides a literature review of Direct Instruction research and documents the results of his own efforts to increase the reading fluency of his students using Direct Instruction curricula and methods. He concludes that Direct Instruction was ineffective for his students, as it did not significantly improve …

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 …

A Needs Analysis Of Intercultural Competency Skills For The Community Interpreter Preparatory Course, Tina Marie Kush

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed is, In preparing a needs assessment for a 40-hour community interpreter training course,

• What intercultural competence skills do adult ELs need to develop?

• What gap exists between the intercultural competency beliefs, strategies and behaviors of perspective EL candidates and those needed to succeed in the interpreter training course?

The motivating factor in this capstone was investigating ways to prepare adult ELs to enter the 40-hour professional community interpreter training. The study had a qualitative research design that included three individual expert interpreter interviews and a focus group of eight adult ELs. Results indicated that …

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 …

The Impact Of Sentence Frames On Readers Workshop Responses, Joseph Peter Reyes Jr

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed is, how does the implementation of sentence frames impact students written responses? The teacher noted how difficult it was at times to get ELs to engage in discussion and writing assignments related to topics being studied. The sentence frames were used as a starting point to elicit students written responses. Sentence frames were implemented during a middle school Readers Workshop class and during a collaborative project with the middle school social studies class. Insight is shared as to factors that may enhance the use of sentence frames as a scaffold such as, instructional planning, peer interactions, …

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 …

How Can Personalized Learning Devices Be Used To Best Support English Learners In The Middle School Classroom?, Laura Jolin Franke

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed was, how can personalized learning devices be used to best support English Language Learners in the middle school classroom? The motivation was interest in 1:1 computing and its potential for ELLs. The project involved surveying, interviewing, and observing ELLs and their teachers, in a public middle school, regarding their experiences during the initial three years of implementation of a 1:1 computing environment in which iPads were distributed to each student. The project found little quantitative data on ESL students specifically, but could confirm much of the research on computing and education. Overall quality of teachers, support …