Abstract This paper presents a case study of a girl who emmigrated from Cambodia to Canada. It describes the issues that are related to her integration into a new school in Canada. The paper begins by presenting the case study. It discusses the background of Cambodia and why the girl's family chose to leave. The paper then looks at the traditions and the behavior of the girl and describes the language issues that she has on arrival in Canada. Finally, the paper discusses goals for language development and adjustment into the school.
Table of Contents:
Introduction - Chantrea's Background
Behaviors, Attitudes & Traditions
Language
Goals for Language Development
Activities / Strategies Regarding the "Four Strands of Language Arts"
Adjustment in the Classroom
From the Paper "It is important that Chantrea should maintain a sense of pride in her culture whilst she assimilates to Canadian life. Many Cambodian immigrants escape the oppressive governmental regime to flock to North America, though this does not mean the Cambodian culture and traditional values should be forgotten. Chantrea may be able to join up with an after-school group, such as the equivalent of the Khmer Emerging Education Program (KEEP) in the United States (World, 2003). Such groups boast teachers which aim to "breathe life into literary figures and historical accounts, using movies, photographs, personal stories, and textbooks" from Cambodian sources. Learning about the Cambodian cultural background on a continuing basis will help the child also form a strong bond with her family and their origins."
Abstract This article looks at Richard Rodriguez's "Aria", which is, essentially, the story of his own childhood as a Spanish-speaking boy who learned the intricacies of the English language under the most complex of circumstances. The writer explains that in revealing the hardships, both emotional and physical, that Rodriguez personally experienced as a non-Englishspeaking child, he attempts to dispute the claims made by supporters of bilingual education - claims which call for the approval of the use of "family languages" in school settings. The writer exposes Rodriguez's emotions and feelings towards the Englishspeaking world.
From the Paper "Early in Rodriguez's childhood, he realized that the world outside his home was far different than the world within it. Outside the safety of the soothing rhythms of his parents' Spanish tongues, he felt as if he were a visitor in a foreign land, yet upon return to his home, the feeling of security returned. He describes the inferiority in the tones of his parents in the gringo world as they struggled through fragments of phrases, comparing it to their gentle confidence of their words as they spoke, within the walls of their home, in Spanish, and he explains that the contrast of the two served only to further his fright of the English language."
A discussion on the challenges of teaching bilingual education ? which can also be phrased as the challenge of educating students with limited English proficiency.
Abstract The following paper examines the complex task of teaching grammar and syntax and instilling an appreciation for nuance and vocabulary choice to children from less educationally privileged areas. This paper examines the programs developed by three different states ? Florida, Texas, and California ? to help educate students with limited English proficiency, looking at both the technical aspects of each program and the larger educational philosophy espoused by each bilingual program.
From the Paper "States with large immigrant populations such as Florida, Texas and California have traditionally made substantial efforts to teach non-English-fluent students English so that these students can succeed in the United States, where a knowledge of English is necessary for many professions. Because the task of teaching English to immigrants or first-generation Americans is a complex one both linguistically and culturally, most states structure their programs to take a number of years. California's recent attempts to trim the time required to attain full fluency in English to one year is problematic within this context and seems likely to continued to be challenged, either by continued reworkings of Proposition 187 or by entirely new pieces of legislation."
This well-researched paper focuses on the rights of non-Englishspeaking students to receive a fair and adequate education as well as the 14th amendment which guarantees equal protection under the law with regard to race or national origin.
Abstract This in-depth paper examines the xenophobic feeling prevalent in U.S. society which is exemplified by the laws of several states that display a hostile attitude toward foreigners and foreign languages. The writer of this paper discusses the lack of adequate English instruction in the school system which prevents non-Englishspeaking students from receiving a proper education. This paper focuses on language rights in the U.S., which is a component of other rights as stated in the 14th amendment, that guarantees equal protection under law with regard to race or national origin. This informative paper cites numerous legal cases including the landmark bilingual education class action case of Lau vs. Nichols brought by non-English Chinese speaking students against the San Francisco Unified School District. This paper also explores the effectiveness of the Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 that requires affirmative action by a school district in overcoming language barriers that impede a student's equal participation in the educational process.
From the Paper "Although not related to a foreign language, the case Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Children v. Ann Arbor School District (1979) speaks to a lawsuit 11 black children brought against the AASD school board regarding an English dialect. According to the court, the plaintiffs assert that the children speak a version of "black English," otherwise known as Ebonics, as their community and home language, which impedes their equal participation in the educational process, and the school has not taken appropriate action to overcome the barrier. The District Court indicates that this case is an effort to require the school district to take appropriate action to teach the black children to read in standard English. Witnesses before the court testified that Ebonics is a language system that differs significantly from standard English and has been used at some time by 80 percent of the black people of this country. This dialect is especially prevalent in areas where there are concentrations of black people, and it contains aspects of Southern dialect that is used largely by black people in their casual conversation and informal talk."
Abstract This paper discusses the psychological services available in the Central Valley area for the diverse population of non-Englishspeaking residents. The paper also examines the positive aspects of these services. Finally, this paper addresses possible future programs which could assist non-Englishspeaking residents with obtaining psychological services.
From the Paper "There have been numerous improvements in the psychological services offered to non-English speaking residents in Central Valley, even in the last few years. According to the California Endowment, a non-profit organization committed to improving the health of Californians, multiple grants have been given to many organizations within the Central Valley, in an effort to expand psychological services offered in the area for non-English speaking residents. In 1999 alone, over $33 million was given to areas attempting to improve services (California Endowment Report, 2001)."
Tags: health, care, system, citizens, second, language, californians, organization, residents
Abstract Just how important teaching English to non-Englishspeaking people is discussed in this paper. The author argues that for the sake of resolving conflicts, it is very important. The author uses several examples of common conflicts in which the understanding of the English language would have made communication much easier.
From the Paper "The most important reason that there needs to be a universal language for conflict resolution is that without one, people are left to make assumptions which can be dangerous. Assumptions about what someone meant or how things were interpreted can cause the conflict to deepen. Even with an interpreter there is no guarantee that the translation will be smooth or exact. Teaching English to non-English speaking residents will remove the middle person and allow those in conflict to resolve their own issues(Pean, 1999). "
Abstract This paper proposes a research project that would examine the effectiveness of English instruction of mathematics on Second Grade ELL (English language learners) students as compared to the effectiveness of instruction in their native language. The proposal is in response to the controversy surrounding the issue of how best to teach mathematics to children from non-English-speaking backgrounds, since it has been found that the best way for children to learn to use mathematics to organize, understand, compare, and interpret their experiences is by making a connection between mathematics and their everyday lives. The paper examines whether ELL students should be taught how to make this connection in their native language with gradual exposure to English in language classes, or whether they should be immersed in English as early as possible. The paper includes an annotated bibliography and an observation checklist of lessons taught in class.
Introduction
Setting
Problem/Issue
Research Question
Hypothesis
Methodology
Subjects
Instrumentation
Significance of the Study
From the Paper "Mathematics is a powerful tool for interpreting the world. Research has shown that for children to learn how to use mathematics to organize, understand, compare, and interpret their experiences, mathematics must be connected to their lives. Such connections help students to make sense of mathematics and view it as relevant. There has, however, been controversy with regard to children from non-English backgrounds and the best ways to get them to make those connections. Questions are raised regarding how to instruct these children who are referred to as English language learners (ELL?s). Should they initially be taught in their native language with gradual exposure to English in language classes, or should they be immersed in English as early as possible."
Abstract This paper describes the many difficulties associated with teaching English as a second language and argues that the most successful approach to teaching English to non-Englishspeaking students, given these difficulties, is a one-on-one approach between the instructor and the student and computer supplementation.
Outline
Introduction: The nature of the ESL Problem
Methodology
One-on-One Language Instruction
Motivation
Use of Computers and the Internet to Teach English as a Foreign
Language
Case Study
Conclusion
From the Paper "Globalization is bound to increase the already large numbers of students for whom English is a second language, whether those students are migrating within the European Union to Great Britain or Ireland, or to the United States. In the United States, arguably, much of the growth in number of students learning English as a second language is due to NAFTA and other migration within the two American continents. In the European Union, much immigration is likely to be from the eastern nations, as well as from the historic sources of migration into Great Britain, Asia and India."
A research paper on the new speaking and listening initiative that has been introduced to schools in order to give speaking and listening a higher profile across the curriculum.
Abstract This research paper attempts to discover whether and to what extent the new speaking and listening initiative has been introduced and to find out what the response to the initiative has been from the schools. The study was conducted in primary and junior schools where observations were made in literacy and foundation subjects, over a period of several weeks.
Introduction
Objective of Study
Length and Scope of Study
Organization of the Research
Review of Literature
Design of Study
Methodology
From the Paper "This dissertation will be organized into six chapters. This chapter introduced the research topic by briefly describing the problem. The primary objective was discussed concerning the implementation of the new initiative. It presented, briefly, the background of the study and the research methods. Chapter two will annotate the findings of relevant literature related to the value of speaking and listening in the classroom and how the profile has changed, why it has changed and what problems, if any, there are with the speaking and listening in the classroom. Chapter three will describe the study setting. Chapter four will describe the methods of research. The results of the research will be presented in chapter five. Finally, Chapter six will discuss the results as presented in chapter five and make suggestions and recommendations."
Abstract Standard English is described as "by far the most important dialect in the English-speaking world from a social, intellectual and cultural point of view" (Trudgill 1999;123). This suggests that the debate about Standard English is a multi-stranded one. This paper demonstrates how it can be divided into: a linguistic debate, which shows the rise of standard English as a direct result of certain historical event; a socio-cultural debate, which demonstrates the way that society often shapes its attitudes on stereotypes and assumptions about attributes of a speaker and their linguistic variety and a political debate, which shows the area of language attitudes as one with which presuppositions about social class have a significant relationship.
From the Paper ""Standard English refers to the 'structure of the language, i.e. its grammar and vocabulary', but it may be 'spoken in any accent' (Perera, 1994 cited by Brindley, 1996). Since the 1950's there has been a decline in the teaching of grammar in schools. Some educationalists have interpreted criticism on prescriptive grammar as criticism of grammar teaching in general. It has been found that English students are now entering universities with little knowledge of basic grammatical terminology (Milroy and Milroy, 1991). Honey (1983) says that English language teaching is in decline and blames the discipline of linguistics for this."
A review of "The Indentureship Experience" and "Feminism, Nationalism, and the Early Women's movement in the English-Speaking Caribbean" by Rhoda Reddock.
Abstract This paper discusses themes related to Caribbean women through a discussion of "The Indentureship Experience" and "Feminism, Nationalism, and the Early Women's movement in the English-Speaking Caribbean" by Rhoda Reddock. The paper argues that although these readings focus on different aspects of Caribbean women's studies there are a number of similar themes.
From the Paper "Reddock argues that many of the early feminist movements in the Caribbean developed out of projects to develop economic capacity. In particular she notes that the self-help society of Jamaica and the home industries in Trinidad and Tobago developed as small operations to create jobs and allow people to earn livelihoods(Reddock 63-64)."
"The fact that feminism was linked to charitable organizations was a direct attempt to keep women out of public life. Reddock argues that these women were allowed to participate in these charities because it was not seen as a threat to patriarchal power. In fact women's participation in these organizations actually strengthened men's domination in society. This was done by linking women's public activities to activities conducted in the private sphere(Reddock 65-67)."
Abstract This paper develops recommendations for achieving parental participation in their child's English as a Second Language instruction. The recommendations are based on the results of a parental interview.
From the Paper "Non-English-speaking elementary-school children face a daunting task in efforts to learn English. The learning and teaching problems are further exacerbated by the No Child Left Behind Act because of the heavy reliance on standardized testing for school and student performance evaluation. A key component of successful English As A Second Language (ESL) programs is the active participation of the parents of the students in such programs. To gain insights for use in the development..."
Abstract This paper examines several factors that determine success in the English-as-a-second-language classroom. The author argues that English is the necessary skill by which immigrants integrate into American society. Additionally, the author cites the linguistic paradox that exists in American society-- on the one hand, it encourages and honors diversity while on the other hand it encourages foreigners to learn English to the exclusion of their mother tongue. The paper concludes by stating language learning must be focused on the individual's learning style and needs whenever possible.
Outline:
Introduction
Definitions and Theories of Culture and Learning
The Significance of Sociocultural Theory
Bibliography
From the Paper "Since its inception, the United States have been a mix of many cultures. At the time of the first colonialists, the country was seen as a place of opportunity and prosperity for any who would make use of the vast resources offered. The immigration trend, despite all evidence to the effect that the opportunities offered are indeed not as vast as believed at first, continues to this day. This has created some difficulty in terms of culture and language, as immigrants attempted to integrate themselves into the United States and its workplace and schools while attempting to retain some of the culture that was their own since birth. In the L2 classroom then, it is vitally important to take into account matters of culture and the influence of this on learning."
Abstract The author of the paper discusses the clear importance of learning fluent English as a way to integrate into American society and advance in life. He studies the opinions of ESL instructors who commented on the importance of English fluency and the difficulties faced by new immigrants wishing to become Americans without losing their heritage.
From the Paper "Census figures show there are 329 different languages spoken in the United States today including English. Even so, 97% of Americans speak English "well" or "very well." (Census 5) Immigrants who stay with others from their country and speak their native language at home are less likely to speak English fluently. This creates an economic factor because it is more difficult for them to find career positions. Instead, they are stuck in low paying jobs where the language is not a barrier. Those who propose English as the official language of the U.S. are not anti-immigrant. They are concerned with statistics from the Census bureau that predict by the year 2050 there will be over 21 million people unable to speak English in the United States. (Census 6) "
Tags: British, Empire, U.S., English, Foundation, census, foreign, language
Review of the novel "Black Elk Speaks" from the perspective of Christianity with an emphasis on the influence Christianity has had on the Lakota Sioux.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract The characters in John Neihardt's "Black Elk Speaks" cross a multitude of literary representations, symbols and metaphors. Although one can say that each of these characters or representations are unique to the Lakota Sioux, and indeed represent what is unique about Native American heritage in general, This paper will focus more on how these representations and characters reflect the Christian influence upon the Lakota Sioux. Throughout "Black Elk Speaks", many Christian parallels may be found and this paper will highlight several of them.
