Representations of immigrants and refugees in US K-12 school-to-home correspondence: an exploratory corpus-assisted discourse study

Corpora ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Berger ◽  
Eric Friginal ◽  
Jennifer Roberts
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Text Simplification ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
K 12

This study details a comparative, corpus-based discourse analysis of corpora containing educational documents distributed to parents and guardians of K-12 children in public schools in the United States (US). The exploratory local corpus (n=152,934) contains parent-directed educational documents collected from four public schools in a city located in the south-eastern US with an unusually high percentage of foreign-born residents. The comparison corpus (n=147,796) contains parent-directed documents collected from a sampling of K-12 schools across the US. Following Baker et al. (2008) , keyness and collocations were utilised as central theoretical notions and tools of analysis, in addition to a lexical sophistication comparison, in order to investigate text simplification across corpora. Results show that while the first corpus used labels for students that were superficially inclusive, English language learners themselves were discursively represented as outsiders facing barriers to inclusion that native-English speaking monolingual students do not face. Furthermore, the first corpus revealed an emphasis on identifying and categorising language learners so as to provide them with immediate services, while the non-geographically specific corpus focussed more on the long-term development of learners and on preparation for post-secondary education. We discuss the implications for language policy in public education and for policies related to K-12 school-to-home correspondence.

scholarly journals Mainstreamed English language instruction in a low-incidence rural school district : a case study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Margaret René Watring Yoesel
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Teacher Perceptions ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Low Incidence

Classrooms in the United States are changing as the population of the United States becomes more diverse with growing numbers of English language learners (Banks, 2005; Capps, Fix, Murray, Ost, Passel and Herwantoro, 2005; Cartledge, Gardner, and Ford, 2009; DeVillar, Faltis, and Cummins, 1994; Diaz, 2001; Dilg, 2003; Hernandez, 2001; Ovando and McLaren, 2000; Sadowski, 2004; Sleeter and Grant, 1994). Immigrants and their families have traditionally settled in larger urban communities, but recent trends indicate a growing number of English language learners are enrolling in rural mid-west public schools. Many rural districts have very little experience or resources to meet the needs of this new diverse group of students. As a result teachers, especially in rural and low-incidence districts, are experiencing academic and cultural challenges of educating students whose first language is not English (Berube, 2000; Hill and Flynn, 2004). The purpose of this study was to examine elementary teacher perceptions regarding experience with instructing mainstreamed English language learners in a low-incidence district. This study also explores issues these teachers feel most influence their ability to successfully teach students from diverse cultures and who speak a first language other than English. Research examining teacher perceptions should provide important insight to teachers, administrators and policy makers regarding teacher needs and support in the education of English language learners.

scholarly journals Developments In Stem Educators’ Preparedness For English Language Learners In The United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-176
Author(s):  
Keith R Besterman ◽  
Jeremy Ernst ◽  
Thomas O. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stem Disciplines ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

In the United States, the population of students classified as English Language Learners (ELLs) in K-12 education has increased in recent decades. As a result, teachers outside of specialized linguistic courses have needed to adapt their instruction to better meet the needs of these students. This exploratory study investigates potential indicators of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers’ preparedness to work with ELLs, in comparison with the rates of ELLs in STEM courses.   Data for this study were obtained from the national restricted-access datasets of the 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 School and Staffing Survey (SASS) Teacher Questionnaire (TQ). STEM teachers’ participation in ELL-focused professional development activities, credentialing related to ELLs, and ELL populations in STEM teachers’ courses were analyzed to quantify changes in these measures over time and among the STEM disciplines. Regional analysis of STEM teacher populations and ELL populations in STEM classes was also conducted to examine how these factors differed across the United States.   Analyses of these data indicated increases in the percentage of STEM teachers who have ELLs in their service loads and in the average number of ELLs in teacher service loads; these trends were present in all U.S. regions and in all STEM disciplines. However, the total number of STEM teachers who participated in ELL-focused professional development activities increased only slightly over the four-year span. To effectively teach the growing ELL student population, STEM teachers must develop the skills and approaches necessary to educate and engage these students.

Multicultural Education as a Framework for Educating English Language Learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35
Author(s):  
Jerry Parker
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Education Administrators

This article discusses the value of multicultural education as a framework for guiding the teaching and learning process in post-secondary education. The focus centers on English Language Learners in the United States throughout all disciplines. An analysis of the five dimensions of Critical Multicultural Education (Banks, 2019) is given along with further commentary on key areas of focus to best guide both English Language Learners and native-born students to a better understanding of the course content and each other. The ideas from this article serve as a starting place for faculty members and higher education administrators  from all over the world and across disciplines who seek to re-conceptualize their classrooms and/or the college or university experience  to accommodate the ever-diversifying population of students via research in multicultural education.

Elementary physical educators’ positioning in teaching English language learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Sato ◽  
Jennifer Walton-Fisette ◽  
Insook Kim
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Positioning Theory ◽  
Language And Culture

Public schools in the United States (US) have become more linguistically diverse. With the rise of English as a global language, English Language Learners (ELLs) experience “transnationalism”, which requires them to gain a critical and reflective knowledge of diverse cultures and the valuing of a new language and culture. Many teachers do not recognize the importance of language as a tool for teaching academic subjects. Teachers struggle to shape and guide conversations using language to help ELLs further their development. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary physical education (PE) teachers’ experiences with teaching ELLs. Based on positioning theory, this study employed an interpretive case study research design. Six PE teachers volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected from a survey questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and follow-up e-mails. Three major interrelated and complex themes emerged from the data analysis. These recurrent themes were (a) race and cultural-based stereotype, (b) social inclusion and communication challenges, and (c) PE teachers’ learning experiences. Although each of the PE teachers expressed the view that there were challenges in working with ELLs, they believed that they should implement effective pedagogical methods (inclusive pedagogy), address social justice and diversity issues of ELLs, and develop a positive learning atmosphere for all students.

Differentiating Instruction for Young English Language Learners in the Content Areas

2018 ◽  
pp. 90-110
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Lindahl
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Differentiated Instruction ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Differentiating Instruction ◽  
Academic Settings ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Academic Content

This chapter explores the practice of differentiating instruction for young English Language Learners (ELLs) in the academic content areas. While ELLs are the most rapidly growing demographic in US K-12 public schools, they are also the most diverse, and will thus benefit from dynamic instruction that meets their needs to provide challenge, success, and fit. Based upon earlier applications of differentiated instruction (such as those in Tomlinson, 1999), this chapter proffers four examples of differentiated activities for young ELLs in math, science, social studies, and language arts. It then extends traditional implementation of differentiated instruction to include students' funds of knowledge and their linguistic repertoire, thereby providing teachers of young ELLs more holistic means to extend student engagement with the content and the type of language favored in academic settings.

scholarly journals Fee-Paying English Language Learners: Situating International Students’ Impact on British Columbia’s Public Schools

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-79
Author(s):  
Ryan Deschambault
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
International Students ◽  
Public Education ◽  
International Education ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Educational Migration ◽  
K 12

This article examines the relationship between international education and English as an additional language (EAL) education in British Columbia’s public education system. Drawing on a wide range of data generated as part of a longitudinal study of high school aged fee-paying international students (FISs) in an urban school district in British Columbia, I make the case that FIS recruitment and presence is having a socializing impact on EAL education in British Columbia’s public schools. In contrast to the way FISs are accounted for in official government statistics, I show how, across multiple actors and dimensions of the public system, FISs are routinely treated and represented as English language learners (ELLs). I argue that these routinized constructions are evidence of the multilayered socialization of EAL education by internationalization efforts in British Columbia’s K-12 sector, and discuss some of the ways this FIS socialization is consequential for EAL learning and teaching in public high schools. I situate my discussion of the FIS-EAL relationship within the larger context of applied linguistics and education-related research on internationalization and educational migration in K-12 settings, and raise questions about how FIS socialization is relevant to discussions of public education.

English Language Learners’ Pathways to Four-Year Colleges

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuko Kanno ◽  
Jennifer G. Cromley
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
College Access ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
College Planning ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Four Year Colleges ◽  
K 12

Background/Context English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest growing segment of the K–12 student population in the United States, yet they encounter substantial problems entering higher education. The gap between ELLs and non-ELLs is particularly acute for four-year college access. Research has been largely silent on ELLs’ college advancement, and we know little about what inhibits ELLs’ college access. Purpose To examine the process of ELLs’ college planning in order to determine which stages of college planning present difficulties to ELLs and why. College planning is conceptualized as consisting of five milestones: (a) aspiring to college, (b) acquiring college qualifications, (c) graduating from high school, (d) applying to college, and (e) enrolling in college. Research Design Secondary data analysis of the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. Only students who participated in all of the first three waves (2002, 2004, and 2006) of data collection were included (N = 12,450). Students were divided into three language background groups: (a) ELLs, (b) English-proficient linguistic minority students (EPs), and (c) native speakers of English (NSs). We first compared the college-access patterns of the three language groups. We then mapped out each group's pathways through the milestones. Finally, we conducted multigroup analyses to examine whether and to what extent a different set of predictors shape the groups’ college pathways. Findings/Results It is the early stages of college planning (aspirations and college qualifications stages) that are particularly challenging to ELLs, such that the majority of ELLs never reach the later milestone of applying to a four-year college. Predictors known to matter significantly for the general population's college access are not all significant for ELLs. Conclusions/Recommendations In order to enable more ELLs to reach four-year colleges, we should make a targeted effort to support them in the early stages of college planning. Racial/ ethnic minority ELLs are particularly vulnerable and need more support. We also need to invest more effort into identifying the factors and conditions that specifically influence ELLs’ college planning.

Pre-Referral Procedures: Meeting Unique Needs of English Language Learners

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Joanna Burton ◽  
Betsy Wendt
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
School System ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public School System ◽  
Language Difference ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
School Team

An increasingly large number of children receiving education in the United States public school system do not speak English as their first language. As educators adjust to the changing educational demographics, speech-language pathologists will be called on with increasing frequency to address concerns regarding language difference and language disorders. This paper illustrates the pre-referral assessment-to-intervention processes and products designed by one school team to meet the unique needs of English Language Learners (ELL).

Children's Nonword Repetition Tasks and English Language Learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
Sara C. Steele ◽  
Deborah A. Hwa-Froelich
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Nonword Repetition ◽  
Adopted Children ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
Internationally Adopted Children ◽  
English Speaking

Nonword repetition performance has been shown to differentiate monolingual English-speaking children with language impairment (LI) from typically developing children. These tasks have been administered to monolingual speakers of different languages and to simultaneous and sequential bilingual English Language Learners (ELLs) with mixed results. This article includes a review of the nonword repetition performance of monolingual and bilingual speakers and of internationally adopted children. Clinical implications for administration and interpretation of nonword repetition task outcomes are included.

Working With Interpreters to Support Students Who Are English Language Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (16) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette W. Langdon ◽  
Terry Irvine Saenz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Primary Language ◽  
Second Best ◽  
Support Students

The number of English Language Learners (ELL) is increasing in all regions of the United States. Although the majority (71%) speak Spanish as their first language, the other 29% may speak one of as many as 100 or more different languages. In spite of an increasing number of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who can provide bilingual services, the likelihood of a match between a given student's primary language and an SLP's is rather minimal. The second best option is to work with a trained language interpreter in the student's language. However, very frequently, this interpreter may be bilingual but not trained to do the job.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document