English Second Language Academic Competence

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that it is imperative that ESL students are evaluated in the primary stages of instruction to develop an appropriate course of action for ESL instruction. The paper continues that it is important to develop activities tailored to the student population to encourage individual growth and academic competence. The author believes that students in the ESL classroom must recognize that stress is a part of daily living.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Achievement of Academic Competence
Activities to Improve Academic Competence
Reading and its Contribution to Academic Competence
Principles for Helping ESL Students Develop Academic Competence
Stress and Academic Competence
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The importance of reading as a means of learning any type of subject matter cannot be undermined as it is the foundation of academic competence in any subject. Furthermore, English as a Second Language instruction is especially dependent upon reading as a precursor for academic achievement and independent learning. Clarke (203) has identified the importance of psycholinguistic principles in reading and ESL instruction. Furthermore, it should be noted that in general, reading is basically the same process in any language and that it is transferable from one language to another (Clarke 203). Shih (289) also affirms that ESL classrooms must concentrate on the development of reading strategies that include the construction of background knowledge, guided reading of a text, and post-reading exercises, including discussion and writing activities, all designed to promote reading skill enhancement. In the primary stages of reading development in ESL classes, the focus lies on reading development, and study skills are not separated from their ties to specific academic assignments. However, it is critical for students to acquire basic study skills that will promote successful mastery of the English language and academic competence in the classroom."

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