Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons^™

"Can You Just Speak Normal?": How Language Summer Camps Affect White Children's Participation In The Linguistically, Culturally, And Racially Diverse United States, Mary M. Bruggeman

Honors Projects

The United States is becoming an increasingly diverse county. Young children are at the best age to learn about language and race, but the way that language programs address the intersection of language and race echoes the issues present in the rest of society. Learning a language in a racially diverse environment improves racial attitudes, but the only way to get to the root of the issue of inequality among individuals who speak another language, have a different culture, or are a part of a different racial group is to discuss the topic of inequality in the United States directly. …

"Our Students Vs. Their Students:" Perceptions Of Teachers In English Language Learning, Leah Day

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of the study was to understand the perceptions of teachers on English Language Learners and how this shapes the educational paths of students. Data was collected in the form of interviews with the participants. The interviews were guided by a set of questions that were designed to interrogate perceptions and experiences with regard to language learning in the context of one student. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and the data was coded inductively. This study does not seek to generalize beyond this context but can provide insight into similar experiences and perceptions of the English Language Learning process. …

Second Language Learning: Functional Literacy Vs. Mastery, Ella Ross

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

No abstract provided.

The Economic Impact And Effects Of Learning A Second Language, Luke Newman

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

The modern world has never been more connected than it is now. However, in the United States of America, and many other countries, the growth of their economy is slowed by the reliance on monolingual communication. By implementing policies to invest in the foundation and future of the countries workforce, and increase the use of a second language, not only will the economy reap the benefits, but the workers who are being invested in will also personally benefit as well. The following study aims to investigate the economic impact and effects of learning a second language.

The Reality Of Teaching English Virtually: Esl Teachers' Perspectives And Experiences During The Covid-19 National Pandemic, Natalia Guerrero

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the dilemma ESL teachers experienced as the educational system shifted from the usual modus operandi of in-person lessons to the uncharted virtual learning environment (VLE). ESL teachers, in one of the largest urban districts in Louisiana, accumulated additional roles and responsibilities that were unique to the teachers of the English learner (EL) population enrolled at their schools.

Data collected to answer the research questions were the product of single and focus group’s interviews with five ESL elementary and middle school teachers in Freedom District. State and district emergency response to COVID-19 guidelines, along with instructional artifacts, were …

Ambiguous Loss, Boundary Ambiguity, And English Learning: How Immigrants' Functionality Is Impacted By Language Proficiency, Shakir Ali

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Due to conflicts in different parts of the world or the prospect of a better life, there are tremendous numbers of immigrants around the world. This study investigates the effect of language learning by immigrants on the level of boundary ambiguity they experience as a result of being separated from extended family. Through the lens of acculturation theory (Schumann, 1976), the study examines if learning a new language helps the immigrant to function within the culture of the host country. In addition, the study relies on the Contextual Model of Family Stress to ascertain if individual, family, or community resources …

Marrying Science And Experience: An Exploration Of How Multilinguals Interact With And Between Languages And Cultures, Allie Heeg Polzin

MA TESOL Collection

This paper will begin exploring bi- and multilingualism at an individual level. The author will explore previous research written on how the brain processes several languages, how languages might affect individuals emotionally, and how one switches between languages as well as the effects of this, if any. Beyond this, the experience of navigating languages between discourse communities and balancing two or more cultures will be considered. As the title suggests, the science of multilingualism will be married with the diverse individual experience while considering both intrapersonal and interpersonal relations. The author will look at her own experience as well as …

Instructional Models And Strategies For Language Acquisition And Literacy, Sheri Ann Ruiz

All Graduate Projects

This study introduces research that shows the most effective teaching models and strategies for language acquisition for students whose primary language is not English in the United States; although most of the research and suggestions presented are also effective for teaching all students, regardless of the student's language level. First, a short background of the history of bilingual education is reviewed. Then, the language domains and various stages oflanguage acquisition are explained. Later, an overview of the research of the most effective teaching models and strategies are provided to inform preschool through 12th grade classroom teachers, Para educators (teaching assistants), …

Tension And Conflict In Assessment, Viola Wong Yuk-Yue

Essays in Education

The paper aims at bringing out some of the intricacies and delicate issues related to language assessment in a discussion that places language learning in an educational context. The paper will include a study that has been carried out on the learning of English as a second language and the means of assessing English language proficiency among a group of first-year university Chinese students. Data were collected through interviews. The study highlights relationships among the espoused aims of the institution, the philosophy of the teaching and the aspiration of students as well as the resultant interactive forces that have given …

Second Language Acquisition Through Reading, Comprehensible Input, Limited Grammar, And Cultural Study: A Handbook For The Secondary Language Teacher, Judith A. Willis-Nicolai

All Graduate Projects

Second language practitioners share the goal that their students reach communicative competence in the target language. Recent research findings regarding learning, however, have spawned a debate that has driven teachers to rethink the efficacy of the traditional practice of direct instruction of language usage. The Standards for Foreign Language Learning, as well as research that examines second language acquisition, support content-based instructional strategies that employ sustained language use, cultural infusion, and contextual grammar instruction in a constructivist classroom. This project reviews that research, then synthesizes and applies the findings of the research through the development of units that implement strategies …

Comprehension And Vocabulary Strategies Using Related Tradebooks With Social Studies For Bilingual And Bicultural Middle School Students, Jennifer Suzanne Tindall

All Graduate Projects

In many schools, students from ethnic minority groups are immersed in secondlanguage reading curricula with minimal attention to their native language literacy (Droop & Verhoeven, 2003). These children face the challenge ofleaming to read in languages that they have not mastered orally. As a result, these second-language students can then experience considerable gaps in their understanding ofreading because reading instruction in any language strongly builds on oral language proficiency. For these reasons, second-language literacy learning is an enormous issue in our schools today (Goodman, Goodman, & Flores, 1984). This is why the author chose to research effective reading instruction for …

A Handbook For First Grade Children's Literature: A Teacher's Guide To Pre-Reading Comprehension Strategies For The Second Language Learner, Tiffany Lynn Wise

All Graduate Projects

Relevant literature pertaining to reading, reading comprehension, comprehension evaluation, characteristics of readers, findings regarding strategy instruction and its use on comprehension, and specific pre-reading strategies was studied. The need for second language learners to receive comprehension strategies in order to develop schemata, activate prior knowledge, and develop meaning for unknown vocabulary was noted. Teaching specific reading strategies to increase the second language learner's comprehension of a text was emphasized. A handbook of pre-reading strategies to be used with first grade learners was created for teacher use. The handbook outlines each pre-reading strategy, its purpose, and the procedure to follow when …

Incorporating Multicultural Children's Literature Into A Primary Curriculum, Cristian Rene Newell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to provide primary teachers with a multicultural literature resource book. To accomplish this a review of literature was completed to investigate the need for, and value of using multicultural literature within a primary classroom. How to judge quality multicultural literature was also reviewed. The project consisted of general lesson plans to use with multicultural literature, twenty specific activities to use with multicultural literature, and annotated book lists of multicultural literature. The activities incorporate Reading, Writing, Communication, and Mathematics Essential Academic Learning Requirements for the state of Washington. Literature is representative of several cultures and …

Reading Comprehension Strategies For Esl K-3 Students Utilizing Multicultural Children's Literature, Ann K. Rizor

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a teacher's handbook to aid in reading instruction for students grades K-3 who are learning English as their second language. To accomplish this purpose a review ofliterature was conducted on the topics of second language acquisition, second language reading, and the use of multicultural literature. Additionally, information and materials from selected sources were obtained and analyzed.

Promoting Reading Literacy In The Home Of Spanish Speaking Students, Erica G. Rodgriguez

All Graduate Projects

Research related to the bilingual and bicultural issues of emergent literacy, family literacy, and intergenerational literacy, factors that promote literacy, parent involvement, and family literacy programs was read, evaluated, and summarized. From this literature review it became evident that when children develop literacy skills in their native language and/or English and learn to interact with literacy, learning to read and write becomes easier. A handbook, written in English and Spanish, was designed and printed providing reading strategies and activities for parents to promote reading literacy in the home.

Juegos De Educatión: Collection Of Student-Centered Spanish Language Activities In A Web Based Format, Geoff W. Bullis, Jenny R. Smith

All Graduate Projects

This project incorporates the use of games and activities as supplemental resources with today's technology enhanced environment. It was designed to create an easily accessible resource for teachers of Spanish language instruction. Our project focused on creating a Web site on the Internet which included several student-centered activities. The development of the project included research of similar Web sites, literature regarding best teaching practices and methods, Gardner's multiple intelligences, specifically bodily/kinesthetic intelligence, and a teacher questionnaire focusing on the need for the project. Through the research and questionnaire it was determined that a dearth of Web-based resources are available to …

Elements Of A Successful Transitional Bilingual Program, Phillip J. Vasquez

All Graduate Projects

The issues related to bilingualism, and more specifically, to bilingual education have become part of the national rhetoric in the news media recently. Of primary concern is the question of whether bilingual education helps or hinders second language acquisition. This project focuses on the issue of bilingual education as an additive in second language acquisition in order to identify the most effective components of the bilingual education programs. The results of this project are compiled into a teachers handbook for meeting the challenge of effectively teaching the language minority student.

Teaching English/Spanish Cognates To Increase Reading Comprehension, Stacey A. Suhm

All Graduate Projects

A curriculum has been developed for middle school English as a Second Language (ESL) students to improve their reading comprehension. A review of the literature found that vocabulary is an essential part of reading comprehension and becoming aware of English/Spanish cognates can increase the students' English vocabulary. The curriculum includes a survey to assess a student's knowledge and use of cognates, lesson plans to introduce the concept of cognates, to practice recognizing English/Spanish cognates, and learn the correlation of suffixes between English and Spanish. The curriculum also includes lists of English/Spanish cognates divided by subjects.

Shrinking The World: A Supplementary High School Computer Curriculum, Trevor L. T. Greene

All Graduate Projects

The project contains a high school supplementary computer curriculum centered on the acquisition of the Spanish language and understanding of the culture. The review of the literature indicates that the computer can be an effective medium with which to facilitate cooperative or collaborative learning and individualized instruction. In addition, technology provides an opportunity for peer tutoring and can instill a desire to learn. The project activities were designed around communicative, cultural, or structural goals that were identified in one or more of the three lessons located in each unit of the Dime Uno textbook. The supplementary computer curriculum was developed …

A Model Training Program For Chinese Language Newspaper Journalists In Taiwan, Joan Chiung-Hua Tseng

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a model training program for Chinese language newspaper journalists in Taiwan. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature regarding newspaper journalist training programs and related material was conducted.

The Use Of Visuals In Second Language Instruction, Cynthia Denise Flannagan

All Graduate Projects

A project that deveIops an in-service training packet that demonstrates and explains the use of visuals in second language learning, beginning through advanced levels. Packet includes applications for visual usage in the development of writing, reading, speaking and listening skiIls in second language learners. Second language teachers, language art teachers and English as a Second Language instructors could benefit from such a packet.

Effective Activities For Communicative Language Teaching Of English To Japanese With Intermediate English Proficiency, Satomi Shimabukuro

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop and try out five communicative activities for Japanese students with intermediate English proficiency in ESL class settings to promote their English proficiency. After reviewing the literature concerning communicative language teaching, the author describes the development, pilot-testing and feedback of the communicative activities. Finally, suggestions concerning the tested activities are given.

A Whole Language Approach Integrating Children's Songs In Spanish To Enhance Language Acquisition And Literacy In The Spanish Immersion Primary Grades, Homero R. Capetillo

All Graduate Projects

An alternative method for the development of second language acquisition and literacy in a second language program was explored. A collection of Spanish children's songs and lessons utilizing "whole language" teaching strategies were compiled to supplement the language arts cμrriculum. The premise for this study was that children's songs could be used to develop activities that would enhance second language acquisition and literacy skills. Implications for the integration of music to provide a cogent transitional vehicle from spoken to written language structures are discussed.

Experience-Based Dialogues In Secondary English-As-A-Second-Language Classrooms, Carlina V. Lobos

All Graduate Projects

An informal study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of experience-based dialogues in the promotion of oral language use in secondary-level English-As-A-Second-Language classrooms. The twenty-one dialogues field-tested in the project were developed interactively, by teacher and students, in the sociocognitive context of each of the learner's background knowledge, experience and immediate communication needs. Experience-based dialogues are a method of language teaching and learning that focuses on the communicative act rather than on isolated or discrete grammatical items. An overview of the results of the informal study was presented here. Strategies for teachers to develop and implement, using this approach, were …

Thematic Approach To Teaching Science In Kindergarten For Use With First And Second Language Students, Gerene Marie Sadberry

All Graduate Projects

Thematic Science units were established for the Wapato kindergarten in both Spanish and English. Approximately three hundred students are participants in the program for which this curriculum was designed. This study suggests how selected science objectives may be implemented using the thematic approach. Each theme contains a media resource list of Items available from the Wapato Primary Media Center and suggested activities which will help to integrate the science unit with other subject areas. The Intent of the curriculum design ls that children learn language and science naturally when they are developed in a meaningful context.

Games And Activities For The English As A Second Language Classroom, Mary T. Brunelle

All Graduate Projects

A study has been made to select activities and games that promote language use in the second language classroom. Low classroom and personal anxiety promote language learning; games and activities are a method of focusing the language on its message rather than its structural form. Ways for teachers to help decrease classroom pressure and encourage learning are discussed. Language games for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students are presented in the project portion of this paper and will be used as a handbook of games for English as a second language teachers.