The problem is that Dominican student immigrants enrolling in Puerto Rican high
schools need to be English proficient and the English as second language program (ESL)
is not effectively supporting these students to develop English proficiency to graduate
from the target high school. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand
the perceptions of Dominican immigrant ESL students regarding motivators and
demotivators in ESL classes to develop English proficiency at the target site. Using
Krashen's conceptual framework, students' perceptions of motivators and demotivators
regarding ESL classes, and their suggestions for improving the ESL instruction were
explored. A qualitative case study design, using purposeful sampling was used to collect
data through semi structured one-on-one interviews from 8 ESL students who met the
criteria of being a Dominican ESL student and being 18 years or older. Data were
analyzed using ATLAS.ti 7. The findings indicated more time and instructional support
was needed for ESL students to develop English proficiency and targeted professional
development was needed for the ESL teachers. Themes emerging from the findings were
that ESL teachers should (a) use motivators and specific instructional strategies, (b) be
aware of demotivators, and that (c) additional instructional time was needed to improve
students' English proficiency. A white paper with recommendations to improve ESL
instruction developed to present to district stakeholders. The adoption of these
recommendations will result in social change by strengthening ESL students' English and
literacy support, leading to ESL students' academic success, high school graduation and
opportunities to attend college or join the workforce.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:waldenu.edu/oai:scholarworks.waldenu.edu:dissertations-6880 |
| Date | 01 January 2018 |
| Creators | Amador, Luis A |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks |
| Source Sets | Walden University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies |
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