Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

“I’M From The Federal Government And I’M Here To Help”: An Examination Of How Firekeeper’S Daughter Educates About Settler Colonialism, Robert Petrone

Occasional Paper Series

This essay offers an examination of various ways Angeline Boulley’s best-selling, award-winning Indigenous Young Adult novel, Firekeeper’s Daughter attends to and educates about settler colonialism. At the core of this analysis is the guiding question: In what ways does Firekeeper’s Daughter illuminate the ongoing social structure of settler colonialism within the context of what is currently known as “The United States”? Specifically, this analysis focuses on the topics of Native identity, including colonial mechanism of blood quantum; and the ways institutions such as the FBI operate from values and epistemologies of compartmentalization and deficit notions of Native Peoples. Across this …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Effectiveness Of Pre-Service Teachers’ Service Learning With English Language Learners Via Zoom, Donita Grissom, Padideh Fattahi Marnani, Sophie Cuocci, Irina Mclaughlin

Journal of English Learner Education

This study investigates service-learning experiences for university students in a teacher certification program, explored through the lens of sociocultural theory. Data was collected from pre-service teachers (PST) involved in service learning conducted virtually using Zoom with Vietnamese pre-service teachers. Data was in the form of surveys, which included short reflections and yes/no responses. Findings show that the service-learning program allowed PST to have the opportunity to apply the strategies learned in their coursework with ELs and increased their sense of preparation as a result. Pre-service teachers reported the service-learning communities of practice to be beneficial for their ELs. Implications highlight …

Transdisciplinarity Through A Functional Approach In The Content Areas: Commonalities For School Teachers, Karen L. Terrell, Luciana C. De Oliveira, Jia Gui

Journal of English Learner Education

In 2020, the WIDA Consortium released a revised English language development standards framework that integrates a functional approach to language development, grounded in systemic functional linguistics, across core subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Central to this framework are four Key Language Uses—Narrate, Inform, Explain, and Argue. While this holistic approach is promising, it poses challenges for elementary and middle-grade teachers and ESOL specialists, who often teach multiple subjects. To ensure all teachers can implement this approach effectively, the integration of functional language must be simplified for generalist instructors. This article explores how identifying linguistic commonalities across …

Exploring Language Through Systemic Functional Linguistics: Importance Of Communicating And Developing Academic Language For Multilingual Learners, Yana Shifrina-Piljovin

Journal of English Learner Education

Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) is a comprehensive theory of language that offers a unique perspective on how we use language to communicate and create meaning. SFL provides educators with a powerful theoretical framework for understanding how language functions in various contexts and how this knowledge can be applied to enhance classroom instruction. Developed by linguist Michael Halliday in the 1960s, SFL has become an influential framework for understanding linguistic metafunctions, from everyday conversations to academic discourse. The "systemic" aspect of SFL refers to the idea that language is a network of systems, each offering a set of choices for expressing …

The Benefit Of Qualified English Language Teachers In Non-English-Speaking Countries, Tina M. Allen-Abulhassan

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

This study explores the impact of qualified English language teachers on English Language Learners (ELLs) in their home countries, assessing how English language instruction can enhance their preparedness for higher education in Western universities. The need for effective English language education is underscored by the scarcity of qualified ESL instructors, which leaves L2 learning ill-equipped for academic success. Utilizing Vygotsky’s social development theory, particularly the Zone of Proximal Development, this research examines the role of social interactions with qualified native speakers in fostering language proficiency and academic achievement. The literature review highlights significant barriers ELLs face, including inadequate teaching …

Creative Engagement With Ai Through Poetic Inquiry: A Posthuman Pedagogy, Amanda B. Deaton

Feminist Pedagogy

In this article, I describe an original teaching activity that explores the intersection of generative AI, poetic inquiry, and posthuman pedagogy, examining how students can critically and creatively engage with disruptive technologies. Using Rosi Braidotti’s posthuman framework (2013, 2019), I consider how generative AI might be used to challenge traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and knowledge production. Through a structured learning activity, students analyze a human poet’s work, generate AI-assisted poetry, and compose their own creative pieces, fostering non-linearity, memory and imagination, and defamiliarization—three key elements of Braidotti’s posthuman thinking. This pedagogical approach encourages ethical, affirmative engagement with AI, offering …

Towards An Ecofeminist Pedagogy: The Environmental Ethics Of Ai, Jessica K. Crowell

Feminist Pedagogy

Previous scholarship has outlined some of the ethical considerations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and beyond, such as the potentials for plagiarism, information bias, disinformation, or even violations of user privacy. Though research suggests that machine learning is a major and ever-increasing contributor to carbon emissions, there has been little discussion of how we teach about the ethics of AI from an environmental perspective. Therefore, this critical commentary first outlines how an ecofeminist pedagogy can help students consider the environmental and ecological effects of new technologies, including AI. At its core, an ecofeminist pedagogy argues …

The Furious Flower Poetry Center: Teaching The Worlds Of Black Poetry To High School Students, Mary Beth Cancienne Phd, Hermione Dewitt, Zoe Mcdowell, Kaleigh D. Phelps, Liz Shanks James Madison University

Virginia English Journal

This article titled The Furious Flower Poetry Center: Teaching the Worlds of Black Poetry to High School Students features lesson plans that high school English graduate candidates wrote in a high school English methods course after participating in the decennial Furious Flower Poetry Conference in September of 2024 at James Madison University. High School poetry lessons featured are based on the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks, Jericho Brown, Nikki Giovanni, Sophia Elhillo, DaMaris B. Hill, Darrel Alejandro Holnes, and Yalie Kamara. Poetic themes and craft taught and discussed in the lesson plans include identity, language, culture, hope, symbolism, tone, diction, and …

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Red: A Crayon’S Story Bibliotherapy, David Wolff

OER Materials

The goal of this assignment was for preservice teachers to practice writing a chain of questions that focused on the social and/or emotional needs of young learners. Bibliotherapy is therapeutic in nature to help individuals understand themselves and the world around them through guided reading experiences (American Library Association, 2025; Delisle & Galbraith, 2002). Further, bibliotherapy allow individuals to identify a personal problem mirrored by a character in a book. As the reader connects with the character, the reader experiences the emotions expressed by the character. Finally, the reader applies the character’s experience to their own personal problem (American Library …

Better Together: Including Students In High School English Language Arts Course And Curriculum Design, Katelin E. Held

Doctorate in Education

This qualitative action research study examined how having students cocreate secondary English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum alongside teachers influenced student engagement and ownership of learning and staff attitudes toward cocreation. Conducted in a Midwestern U.S. public high school ELA department, the study involved four student and four educator participants, all of whom engaged in restorative-style focus groups with a larger number of students and teachers to collaboratively generate ideas for new course offerings. The study students and adults then participated in small-group semi structured interviews. Data were collected through audio-recorded group discussions, individual interviews, and researcher memos and were analyzed …

10 Things We Love/Hate About Ai For Writing Instruction, Jenelle Williams, Katherine Cottone, Brian Dalton

Michigan Reading Journal

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the educational landscape, its role in writing instruction elicits both enthusiasm and apprehension among educators. This article, “10 Things We Love/Hate About AI for Writing Instruction,” explores the complex dynamics of integrating AI tools into the teaching of writing. Drawing from classroom experiences, educator reflections, and student interactions, it highlights the benefits of AI—including personalized feedback, increased writing fluency, and support for diverse learners—while also acknowledging concerns such as diminished student agency, ethical implications of authorship, and overreliance on automated systems. By presenting a balanced perspective, the article invites educators to critically examine how …

Unlocking Reading Success: Addressing The Literacy Crisis In The United States, Jennifer Kaczrowski-Taylor

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper addresses the literacy crisis in the United States. Currently, in the educational system, millions of children lack access to research-based reading instruction and, as a result, struggle to become proficient readers. Despite decades of academic and reform efforts, national reading achievement has been declining. This literacy crisis can be traced back to outdated or inconsistent instructional practices, socioeconomic background, lack of research-based instructional curricula, as well as inconsistent and ineffective implementation of these approaches. Based on recent research and national data, this white paper advocates for aligning teacher education and professional development with the Science of Reading. …

Developing Cross-Cultural Competence And Media Literacy Through Multi-Modal Instruction And Projects, Michelle Verbitskaya, Alla Kourova, Irina Pidberejna

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

We explore the integration of Media Literacy in the 2-year Russian language STARTALK program, “How Words Shape People: Understanding Business Russian Through Proverbs.” Given the current geopolitical climate, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, fostering critical engagement with media has become more essential than ever. By encouraging students to interact with multimedia resources—including animated videos, podcasts, news articles, and the Russian National Corpora—the curriculum aims to enhance both language and media literacy skills. Media Literacy’s Five Key Framework is applied to guide students in analyzing media critically while producing academic projects and cultural responses. We present a curriculum that fosters …

Empowering Writers: Integrating Digital Prewriting Tools In The Research Writing Process, Heather A. Rundo

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This practitioner article explores the integration of digital prewriting tools, specifically MindMeister and VoiceThread, in a high school sophomore honors English class during a research writing unit. The author, a classroom teacher, discusses the challenges students face in research writing and seeks to enhance their confidence and organization skills. Drawing insights from student and teacher perspectives on writing strengths and weaknesses, the article delves into the significance of prewriting as a fundamental component of the writing process.

Revitalizing Literary Engagement: Innovative Approaches To Teaching Willa Cather In High School English Classes, Sarah Hoyt, Phu Vu

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This study explores methods to enhance student engagement and interest in high school English literature classes, focusing on the analysis of Willa Cather's novels. It addresses the challenge of motivating students to engage deeply with full-length novels, crucial for cultural and literary education. Employing a qualitative approach and triangulated data sources, the study reveals significant improvements in student engagement, comprehension, and literary analysis. Additionally, students demonstrated a heightened ability to connect with the themes and characters in the prose.

Reducing Foreign Language Anxiety Through Cooperative Learning: Enhancing Speaking Skills For Bipa Learners, Mahira Mujahida Ani Mufti, Lilis Siti Sulistyaningsih, Mochamad Whilky Rifkiyanfi

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Indonesia's economic and political development has sparked global interest, contributing to the increasing status of Indonesian as an international language. This has led to a growing number of learners in the BIPA (Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers) program. While many studies have focused on learning materials, media, models, and evaluation tools, research on foreign language anxiety in the BIPA context remains limited. This study investigates the effectiveness of cooperative strategies in reducing language anxiety and improving speaking skills among BIPA Level 1 students. Using a quantitative Single Subject Research (SSR) method with an A-B-A design, the study involved three purposively …

Distance Learning Technology In Lebanese Universities, Rayan Kalasina

Al Jinan الجنان

Education is one of the most important systems on which any country in the world is based. In fact, education is one of the main reasons for progress and growth in all countries. Interest in the educational system and in making it a priority helps build a present and a bright future that pushes it towards progress and advancement. Additionally, technology has strongly entered various aspects of life and has become one of the most important measures for the progress of countries and nations. Technology included various educational systems, leading to the emergence of the concept of educational technology.

Extracting From The Extracurriculum: Using Extracurricular Composition Practices To Bring Purpose, Voice, And Engagement Back To The English Classroom, Grace N. Ellis

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores how principles and practices from extracurricular literacy spaces and the extracurriculum as a whole can inform and revitalize the secondary English classroom. In response to growing student disengagement, apathy, and disconnection, particularly within highly standardized and product-focused classrooms, this argument investigates how programs such as the Nebraska Writers Collective’s All Writes Reserved program and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Young Writer Camp model authentic engagement, identity exploration and development, and rhetorical agency through creative, student-centered writing practices. Drawing from composition theory, educational research, and experiential data from Nebraska-based writing initiatives, the thesis argues that incorporating choice, safe-risk taking, …

Perceptions Of An English Language Learner Program In A Florida Middle School, Kristifer M. Harden

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

A growing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) exists within the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore administrators' and teachers' perceptions of a school district’s ELL program and determine how those perceptions align with the ELL supports used in the classrooms of a small school district in Florida. The study intended to answer the question: How do the perceptions of an ELL program held by the administrators and teachers responsible for the implementation of the ELL program differ from one another and from the ELL supports being provided in classrooms? This qualitative case study was developed …

Navigating Learning Gaps: Exploring Elementary Teachers’ Perspectives On Literacy-Based Strategies For Ells In Group Instruction, Ashley N. Banegas

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Teachers are to implement frequent pedagogical self-reflection to effectively differentiate instruction in whole-class and small-group settings for English language learners (ELLs). This qualitative, exploratory case study explored the perspectives of general elementary education teachers toward implementing varied instructional strategies used to target the literacy learning gap in ELLs. This current study investigated 12 kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers from a public charter school in southern Florida who participated in an interview or completed a journal entry. Information retrieved from scholarly literature and data were analyzed to answer this study’s three research questions. Findings determined the importance of teachers’ learning about their …

Teachers' Feedback And Students' Emotional Wellbeing In Writing Courses, Amar Bahadur Sherma

Journal of English Learner Education

While feedback is a corrective business in every sphere of human life, most students do not have a positive perception of teachers’ feedback. Previous studies have emphasized the relationship between students’ writing achievements and the effectiveness of teachers’ feedback. However, no substantial research on how teachers’ feedback affects students’ emotional well-being has been undertaken. This article examines the relationship between students’ understanding of their teachers’ feedback on their writing assignments and emotional wellbeing. Data was collected from (N = 63) Nepali undergraduate students through Google Forms. The Forms consisted of structured and unstructured questions. According to the data, a mismatch …

Enhancing Educational Outcomes For English Learners: The Role Of Culturally Responsive Teaching And Professional Development In Texas, Elisa Garcia, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

The increasing population of English learners (ELs) in Texas public schools requires a focused approach to their education. This article explores the challenges faced by ELs, including the risk of misplacement in educational programs and the need for culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices. Drawing on recent research, the article highlights the importance of professional development (PD) tailored to the unique needs of ELs. Effective PD programs should prioritize cultural and linguistic awareness, collaborative learning opportunities, and strategies for differentiated instruction. The article also discusses the significance of engaging parents and the community in supporting ELs. By implementing these recommendations, …

Everything Is Bigger In Texas: English Learners And The Difficulty Within Assessment, Identification, And Program Development, Gloria A. Avila, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

This report explores the critical components of effective program placement for English learners, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment and identification processes to ensure appropriate placement. It highlights the rapid growth of the EL population, particularly in the state of Texas, and underscores the importance of developing tailored educational programs that meet the unique needs of English learners. By examining current practices and identifying key areas for improvement, this paper aims to enhance the academic and linguistic outcomes for English learners, ultimately fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Transforming K-12 Classrooms: Ten Essential Strategies For Cultural Responsiveness, Sandra Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Regina Reber

Journal of English Learner Education

Across the United States, in K-12 classrooms, diverse student populations continue to increase, challenging educators to meet student cultural, linguistic, and academic needs. The study examined the best practices related to culturally responsive teaching (CRT) strategies to better meet all students' needs. A qualitative approach was used to collect data from licensed K-12 educators in New Mexico and Colorado. The findings revealed three essential themes: culturally responsive pedagogy, the positive impact of CRT, and the creation of physical spaces to support inclusivity. The findings revealed the significance of building strong relational capacity, encouraging collaboration, supporting multilingualism, and creating effective physical …

Transforming Future Classrooms: Exploring Mainstream Candidates’ Self-Efficacy, Amanda Nelms

Journal of English Learner Education

The nationwide shortage of teachers is having a profound impact on schools across the country. In addition, many teacher candidates are entering the profession without adequate preparation to effectively work with MLs, potentially exacerbating challenges faced by this student population. One innovative approach to teacher preparation is the implementation of Grow Your Own (GYO) programs. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on GYO programs by focusing on the self-efficacy of secondary mainstream teacher candidates in teaching MLs. This mixed-methods study collected data throughout a course centered on research-based instructional practices for MLs. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test …

Why The “Whole Language Approach” To Reading Fails Ell Students & Instructional Strategies To Employ Instead, Caitlyn E. Petrus

Journal of English Learner Education

The research presented in this article demonstrates a qualitative view of the science of reading for phonemic awareness instruction, phonics instruction, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs) in PK-12 schools. The research builds upon esteemed writers Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Sylvia Linan-Thompson’s work in their book Research-Based Methods of Reading Instruction for Learners, Grades K-4 and other reading experts such as Dr. Wiley Blevins and Dr. Lisa Moats to apply to the growing population for ELLs in PK-12 schools and how to shift from a “whole language classroom” to a classroom built on the …

The Use Of Phonics With Adult Ells At The Beginner Level, Jose V. Torres

Journal of English Learner Education

This study examines the work of Jose V. Torres, author of the Level 1 beginner adult ELL textbook I Want To Learn English, to evaluate the effectiveness of phonics instruction in literacy development for adult English Language Learners (ELLs). Drawing on data from two primary sources—(1) textbook-based assessments focused on students’ ability to distinguish between long and short vowels, and (2) CASAS outcome scores collected under controlled conditions at Baltimore Community College—this research addresses a significant gap in the literature on adult ELL literacy acquisition. Specifically, the study investigates the impact of explicitly integrating phonics instruction into a contextualized curriculum …

Strategic Considerations For Integrating Digital Technology And Literacy Learning, Christine N. Green

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

In an era of rapidly advancing technology, integrating digital tools into literacy instruction has become a vital component of effective educational practice. This article presents findings from a case study examining how digital technology was incorporated into the literacy block of a first-grade classroom. Through sixteen hours of classroom observation and three teacher interviews, four key strategic considerations emerged for planning literacy activities that utilize educational technology. These activities enriched student learning by encouraging engagement through multiple modes of literacy. These strategic considerations include building digital connections that complement instructional goals, strategically adding digital tools, allowing students to lead, and …