Using the first language (L1) in the English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom has been the topic of debate for decades. What originated as a commonplace practice shifted dramatically in the late 1800s, when for political reasons, the L1 was banned from classroom use. Most second language methods since the 1960’s reflect this decision, by recommending against the inclusion of the L1 in the ESL or EFL classroom. More recently, both researchers and teachers in the field have reopened this previously unquestioned axiom, and now acknowledge the L1 may have numerous advantages for the language learner. This report delineates the support in the literature for the benefits of judiciously using the L1 in the ESL/EFL classroom. / text

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of self-regulation on the acquisition of academic vocabulary of ELLs with learning difficulties. Participants were four third-grade Spanish-speaking ELLs who performed below grade level on a vocabulary test in English and scored below 25% accuracy on a science vocabulary measure. This study employed a multiple probe design across subjects and it consisted of four phases: (a) baseline, (b) self-regulation training, (c) self-regulation, and (d) maintenance. During baseline, participants were provided direct vocabulary instruction. During training, self-regulation with prompts was added to the direct instruction and, during intervention, prompts were removed. The intervention continued until the maintenance phase. Each lesson included instruction of six target words followed by daily tests of those six words. Each session lasted 30-35 minutes, divided into 26-30 minutes for the lesson, followed by 4-5 minutes for testing. This study was conducted over 15 weeks; all lessons were implemented using a script. To document students’ progress on the acquisition of science vocabulary, two daily vocabulary tests were administered during every session. One was a receptive word-knowledge test to measure how many words students understood. The other was an expressive word-knowledge test to measure how well the students understood the words. Furthermore, student interviews were conducted after completion of the study. Results revealed that self-regulation in conjunction with direct instruction was more effective than direct instruction alone not only on receptive word knowledge, but also on expressive word knowledge. Also, students showed a long-term effect in the acquisition of the both types word knowledge. Students had a positive perception of self-regulation, although they preferred different sub-strategies (self-goal setting, self-monitoring, and self-recording). These findings suggest that ELLs with learning difficulties need an intensive intervention beyond direct instruction alone and self-regulation is a critical strategy in formulating such an intensive intervention. / text

Second language acquisition has seen a shift toward sociocultural approaches over the past fifteen years (Block, 2007). Sociocultural theory (Offord, 2005), language socialization (Schieffelin and Ochs, 1986), and “communities of practice” (Lave and Wenger, 1991) highlight how language learner identity, like language itself, is both socially and individually constructed. As learners acquire a foreign language, they also gain a new awareness of who and how they are—they develop a second language (L2) self (Granger, 2004). How language learners identify themselves depends on contextual factors (Norton, 1995). This report focuses on how language learner social identity is negotiated in three contexts: the foreign language classroom, the study abroad setting, and in face-to-face interactions. / text

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Previous research into the needs of English Language Learner pupils (ELL) has predominantly focused on progress made in language acquisition and academic attainment, whereby learning and language needs were identified and managed. The current research aimed to explore the emotional needs of ELL pupils, and how they may be different to those of English speaking pupils. All data was collected from responses provided by pupils and teachers within two West Midlands based primary schools. A sequential mixed methods design was employed within a Critical Realist theoretical approach. In Phase 1 quantitative data was collected through the use of the Emotional Literacy Assessment and Intervention measure (2003) as a means of identifying emotional strengths and weaknesses. Self report checklists were completed by 106 pupils aged 9 to11, 29% of which were identified as ELL. Teacher checklists were also completed for each participant. This data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In Phase 2 qualitative data was collected via focus groups with ELL pupils and their English speaking counterparts, and semi-structured interviews were also conducted with their class teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative findings. Quantitative analysis of the checklist data indicated ELL pupils and their teachers scored ELL pupils as having significantly lower emotional literacy skills than their English speaking counterparts, which suggests they may have greater emotional needs. From the qualitative data, ELL pupils reported experiencing greater negative emotions at the time of starting school in the UK, in comparison to English speaking pupils of the same age. English language proficiency is identified by both ELL pupils and their teachers as the factor that has the greatest impact on their emotional well being. Protective factors such as empathic peers and language partners are identified. Possible mechanisms that may lead to the observed behaviours of ELL pupils are considered within the Critical Realist philosophy. The overall findings are discussed in relation to the literature review conducted, along with a critique of the methods used. The author discusses the lack of consideration of emotional factors within the current national approach to the learning and teaching of ELL pupils. The current study suggests ELL pupils have emotional needs that are specific to their circumstances, and highlights a need to develop a national framework which is grounded in evidence. Future research and the potential role of the educational psychologist in the development of a national ELL framework are discussed.

This case study examined the principles of a professional learning community (PLC) in an elementary school setting and their impact on instructional practices and effect on the reading achievement of English Language Learner (ELL) students. The cohort of students in this study was followed from grades three through five. The data sources included a principal interview, a focus group discussion with teachers, classroom observations and the Standards of Learning reading scores for ELL students. The data from transcripts were analyzed using triangulation and coding techniques. The results of this study are a narrative description of a professional learning community used to impact instructional practices and reading achievement, the perceptions of a principal and teachers, and classroom observations. The data from interviews and the focus group suggest that teacher and principal perceptions of the professional learning community and its principles support their instructional practice. There appeared to be no consistent pattern of performance of individual scores during the study period. The PLC principles of collaboration, collective inquiry and continuous improvement were identified most often to be perceived as effective in the delivery of instruction. Staff development and providing adequate planning time for teachers are recommended as essential practices to a professional learning community. / Ph. D.

In support of educational equity, the White Paper 6 (Department of Education, 2001) states that every learner in South Africa has the right to pursue their learning potential to the best of their ability. The South African Schools Act of 1996 states that a school’s language policy may not exclude learners from different backgrounds. As a result, many English second language (L2) learners struggle to understand the learning material and perform poorly academically. Poor literacy and reading skills have been identified in the literature (for example Pretorius, 2005) as a significant cause for poor academic performance. In an endeavour to work within the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system, teachers are increasingly seeking ways to improve group learning. These factors motivated the present study and a paired reading intervention was selected and administered to Grade 9 English second language learners. Volunteer participants consisted of an Experimental Group (n 53) and a Comparison Group (n 53). Each group was divided into strong (mentor) and weak (mentee) readers. Pre-tests and post-tests were conducted regarding the Experimental and Comparison Group’s scores on the Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests of the Stanford Reading Diagnostic Test (SDRT): Brown Level and the Academic Performance of both groups were recorded at pre and post-test phases. After an 11 week intervention programme a statistical analysis of the results was conducted. The overall means for the groups were analysed using t-tests to establish any significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was also conducted to determine whether any significant differences existed between the Experimental and Comparison Group. A null hypothesis was supported. It would appear that the whole-hearted commitment and participation of all role-players is essential for the effective implementation of a peer reading intervention at a school.

The Swedish government has authorised the teaching of mathematics in English to Swedish speaking students. Much of that teaching is performed by foreign trained native English speaking teachers lacking training in second language learners. This systematic review summarises international studies from the last ten years that deal with the teaching of mathematics to second language learners. The review shows that second language students working in a bilingual environment achieve higher rates of content and language knowledge than learners in a monolingual environment. This study also summarises some of the teacher practices that are effective for teaching mathematics in English to second language learners.

The Hispanic population is growing rapidly nationwide, and school districts across the country are faced with the challenge of guiding these learners to high levels of success. The primary focus of this dissertation addresses the implementation in the state of Georgia of the Vision Project, which is titled A Vision for Public Education, Equity and Excellence. This project is designed to build trust and support for public education across the state, to ensure meaningful engagement within communities, and to provide rewarding educational experiences for all Georgia’s students. A secondary focus for this dissertation assesses perceptions of school leadership practices in high poverty, high “English Language Learner (ELL)” school districts. The literature review includes perceived practices that have informed (a) types of leadership teams, (b) parent involvement, (c) professional development of leaders and teachers and (d) instructional practices for high ELL schools. An instrumental case study was used to examine how specific school districts are implementing the Vision Project’s recommendations to improve public education. Moreover, there is a secondary focus on leaders in high poverty, high English Language Learner schools. The emphasis is on their perceptions of practices that have informed student learning. Two “Tier 1” districts were selected by utilizing the Vision Project Executive Director as an informant with regard to which districts were implementing the project with fidelity in the 2014-15 school year. A constructivist view to general inductive approach and thematic analysis guided the process used to identify themes in this study. From the qualitative data, four themes emerged. The themes identified within the data include: (a) the ways formal leadership teams are organized (b) professional development of teachers and leaders, (c) instructional strategies utilized to teach ELL students effectively, and (d) leaders’ perception of the impact and challenge of parental involvement in high poverty schools. Additionally, connections to areas of the GA Vision Project were noted in both School District A and School District B. This study contributes to the field of education by giving educational leaders in high poverty, high ELL schools support for planning, developing, and implementing instructional vision in their workplace and communities.

This is an instrumental case study that focuses on the construction of English Language Learner Identity (ELLI) in postcolonial Pakistan. It is a study of students at a public sector university in the province of Sindh. The study broadly examines how English language learners reconstruct, redefine and negotiate their language learner identities during their English language learning journeys. In particular, it attempts to explore learners’ investment and agency in learning English and what ‘future possible selves’ they want to achieve after acquiring English language skills. Consideration is given to how learning English as a second language may be impacted by students’ gender, social class and ethnolinguistic selves and how learners’ English Language Learner Identity is formed and reformed in postcolonial Pakistan. This instrumental case study of the University of Sindh did not attempt to explore the case in its entirety but rather studied a particular aspect of it. In order to gather the data for my study I recruited three cohorts - primary (Year 1) and secondary (Year 2, 3 and 4) participants and other stakeholders from the Institute of English Language and Literature (IELL), the University of Sindh (UoS). Year 1 students were the key participants in the study but with the involvement of 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students, I was able to construct a possible sense of language learner identity and language learning evolution beyond the first year students’ experiences. Year 1 students were interviewed twice over a twelve-month period during which time they also wrote reflective diaries twice a month. Engagement with each of the other year groups involved one focus group discussion with each year once only in the middle of the data collection journey. In addition, participant shadowing and non-participant classroom observations were also utilised to enhance understanding and to triangulate the data. The views of other stakeholders such as the language teacher, the Director of the Institute and the Dean of the Faculty were also gathered to supplement and inform the data collected from students. The key findings of this study suggested that investment, learner agency, desire for possible future selves and historical and cultural consciousness are the main constructs of language learner identity in postcolonial Pakistan. Learners have invested in English language learning through a number of processes and have had unique language learning journeys exercising their learner agency. It reinforced an understanding of learners’ identities as dynamic and multidimensional and fluid in nature, being continually reconstructed and negotiated over time in different academic, social and cultural contexts leading to a hybridised English Language Learner Identity (ELLI) situated in the ‘third space’. It was found that Year 1 students were open to negotiating their multidimensional identities but conformed to an acceptance of the primacy of English while their senior counterparts resisted and sometimes challenged not only English language learning but also the significance of English as a mechanism for linguistic and cultural manipulation. It was noticed that the nature and extent of investment, agency and identity negotiations were related to learners’ individual experiences, social class, academic, family and ethnolinguistic background and their year of the degree programme.