Abstract The paper researches the correlation between primarylanguage and academicresults. The paper performs the research on groups of students, using interviews, as well as other methods. This study examines whether students perform better academically when involved in activities in the cultural setting of both the primary and the secondary language; and if the use of both languages on a consistent basis increases the academic performance of the students.
Outline:
Chapter I:
Objective
Hypothesis
Research Questions
Methodology
Importance of the Study
Organization of the Remaining Chapters
Chapter II:
Literature Review
Students Experience Loss Of L1 In The Learning Of L2
Overview Of Second Language Acquisition Theory - Five Stages Of Development
Chapter III:
Review Of Literature Reviewed In This Study
Chapter IV:
Findings
Recommendations
Bibliography
From the Paper "Hakuta, Ferman, and Diaz (1986) argued that the research on bilingualism that was conducted earlier had "failed to distinguish between the different levels of bilingualism." (Garcia-Vazquez, 1997) Current research has as its' focus the cognitive development of languages among all children." (Garcia-Vazquez, 1997) Recent research has found evidence for positive relation between bilingualism and reasoning abilities among children. Such reasoning abilities are inclusive of "nonverbal problem solving skills, divergent thinking skills, and field independence." (Cummings, 1976; as cited by Garcia-Vazquez, 1997) The research of Bialystock, 1986a and 1986b indicates that additive-bilingual children out-perform monolingual counterparts on tasks requiring high levels of cognitive control." (Garcia-Vazquez, 1997)"
This paper discusses that academic competence includes a number of components that are critical for effective English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
Abstract 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."
Abstract This paper explains that the problem of English language learners (ELLs) learning to write English may be in the failure of the current educational system to distinguish between the differences in the oral and written traditions of the English language. The author points out that ELL students may acquire verbal English skills fairly quickly, which is often mistaken for complete English proficiency; however, research demonstrates that the conventions of written English are far different than spoken English and that ELL students develop written English skills at a rate far slower than the rate at which they develop spoken English skills. The paper relates that ELL students must have a clear understanding of the methodology behind the writing process in order for them to comprehend the general writing traditions of the English language.
Table of Contents:
Discussion
Time Expectations for Adaptation
Conversational English versus Written and Academic English
Failure to Distinguish Oral and Academic Communication in Teaching
Strategies for Teachers
Prewriting
Revising and the "Writer's Workshop"
Journal Writing
Reformulation
Benefits of Encouraging PrimaryLanguage Development
Conclusion
From the Paper "The wide variance in writing conventions amongst different languages often forces ELL students to 'unlearn' the conventions of their first language. For example, if a student's first language is a mainly a symbolic, or logographic language, a student may have difficulty learning to form letters that in turn form a word. However, this aspect of language acquisition should not always be considered a hinderance in learning written English. It can also have positive benefits. If a student is already writing in their first language, it is likely that those skills can be utilized to advantage of teaching written English."
A paper on the sociology and linguistic perspectives of "The Ebonics Resolution" a Californian plan to accept African-American language as the primarylanguage of African-American students.
Abstract The paper shows that in 1996, the Oakland School Board in California passed the "Ebonics Resolution" - a plan to accept African-American language, termed Ebonics, as the primarylanguage of African-American students and to implement a system to teach them in their primarylanguage as a means of assisting them to learn standard American English. The paper discusses the debate that followed involving the public and the media. It shows that while the linguistic experts in the field were in support of the Ebonics Resolution, the Resolution had a significant social impact. By comparing the meaning of the issue from a sociological and a linguistic perspective, the paper shows the real issues involved in their entirety.
From the Paper "In the Ebonics debate the part of culture involved is language, a very basic component of our society. Language is something that is taken for granted, with the belief of the general population being that the accepted language is the correct one. The social rejection of Ebonics and the rejection of accepting it as a primary language can be seen as a form of the majority group of society asserting their own belief in their superiority. This is not necessarily representing that the majority group do not want to accept others. Instead it reflects the basic principle of society assuming that the majority group is correct."
Tags: LSA, dialect, communication, AAVE, ethnic, groups
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of multiculturalism and its connection to teaching students for whom English is a second language. It examines two main schools of thought. One believes that although schools should recognize the diversity of cultures in our midst, the primary goal of education should be to teach all children to speak English fluently, as soon as possible, and to make sure they are solidly grounded in mainstream American culture. An alternate view is that instructional approaches should support the development of the primarylanguage and understanding of the primary culture rather than acculturation to mainstream culture.
From the Paper "Over the past few decades, the United States has become a country of markedly more diverse subcultures than ever before. At the same time, educators have grown in their understanding and appreciation of the richness that diversity can bring to the educational environment. In spite of this, little research has gone into the effects of language instruction on the cultural development and understanding of students for whom English is a second language. The value of multicultural education is recognized at all levels of education in our country. Recognition of cultural differences as an enriching fact does exist in preschool. However, some educators concerned with the needs of "second culture" children believe that culture and language cannot be separated, and that cultural diversity that eliminates the child's primary language is inherently distorting (Phillips & Crowell, 1999a)."
Abstract This paper discusses the "notorious" case of academic fraud by Sir Cyril Lodowic Burt as presented by H. Beloff. The research focuses on the ethical problem presented, the ethical principles breached according to the Australian codes of ethics, the motives and justifications of a commitment of this breach, justification for such actions and solutions for dealing with instances of academic fraud. The paper states that while a brief discourse on the case of Sir Cyril is provided, the primary purpose of the case is to prevent fraud from occurring in the future.
Outline:
Academic Fraud
Cyril Burt
Ethical Issues and Disputes
Code of Ethical Conduct
Proposed Solutions and Actions
From the Paper "The cardinal principles of the Australian Code of Ethics as dictated by the Australian Ethical Society (2003) suggest the following principles must be applied in psychology and in evaluation of academic fraud: (1) professionals have a duty to act using well-informed conscious decision-making, (2) professionals engaged in academic investigation have a duty to act in the interests of the community they serve, (3) professionals and academics have a duty to accept responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of their community before the welfare of their private or personal interests and (4) professionals have an obligation to act with honesty and in good faith to the community, and apply their skill and knowledge in the interests of the community."
Abstract This paper examines the concept of a primarylanguage within diverse countries as the effects of globalization continue to spread. However, introducing legislation to ensure that there is a primarylanguage in a single country is a loaded topic, where sides of the argument have a strong emphasis on the "preservation" of a particular people.
Abstract This paper details the results of various research studies conducted on African-American students in schools around America. One particular study, conducted on 43 students, consisted of an open-ended questionnaire delving into the question of how to enhance the academic success of African-American youth. The study asked questions pertaining to family and social issues as well as what students needed in order to better succeed in school. This paper discusses the most important single need of all the students tested, which was that teachers need to ask questions specifically designed to find out if students understand the material and if not, provide further explanations. The writer examines published material attesting to the fact that African-American students need alternative strategies to achieve academic success, which are described in this paper. This paper also delves into the benefits of cooperative learning, which is a strategy that teams students in small groups with different levels of ability, using a diverse series of learning activities to enhance understanding.
Table of Contents:
Literature Review
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Both the elementary students (51%) and the high school students (26%) indicated that if parents helped students learn to study, their grades would improve. But the most important single thing both elementary and high school students reported, in terms of getting stronger academic footings in preparation for college, was that teachers need to "ask questions" specifically designed to find out if students understand the material, and if not, "provide further explanations."
On the subject of counsellors, an article in High School Journal suggests that African American students do indeed need different strategies to achieve academic success. Since a portion of African American adolescents live in single-parent home environments and below the poverty level, and as a result of that environment are "likely to question the relationship between educational achievement and economic progress," school counselors must take on strategies beyond their job descriptions."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses that unlike teaching a student how to diagram a cell in biology class or how to deconstruct a poem in English class, the aim of foreign language education is not simply to teach students how to learn, but to impart a functional skill. This is especially true in English as a Second Language (ESL) education, where the students are acquiring a language that may become their primarylanguage in their education or in their workplace. The writer points out that it is critical that students acquire language vocabulary that is likely to be useful for them in their daily lives, and that the students are quickly immersed in the language in a way that replicates their exposure to the language in daily life. In this paper, the writer looks at the communicative language teaching (CLT) approach, which stresses the fact that students learn to communicate through the action of communicating without merely learning about communicating in that language.
From the Paper "Unlike a purely structuralist approach to teaching language that stresses learning foreign grammar structures in isolated and often unnatural ways, the technique of language content-based immersion exposes students to a new language in a holistic fashion. Even a successful structuralist method, such as the audiolingual method, in which the foreign language lessons are arranged on grammatical principles but in which the students are not responsible for any metalanguage tends to isolate grammatical principles from one another in a way that is not commensurate with how students are exposed to language in the lived environment outside of the classroom, and also tends to isolate acquiring vocabulary through intuition from correct grammatical usage. In contrast, communicative orientation in language teaching, with a student-focused perspective, is more evident in a content-based immersion approach. Such an approach encourages students use new expressions to impart their desired meaning in a way that enables them to truly communicate what they want to say in a given situation, rather than replicate the language patterns of a teacher by rote. A communication-focused approach also breaks down possible inhibitions about using the second language and making mistakes, as sometimes the English language is not even the main focus of the classroom, merely communicating something interesting about another subject."
This paper is a research proposal to identify learning difficulties that students encounter when specifically learning literacy skills in the target language.
8,310 words (approx. 33.2 pages), 55 sources, APA, $ 177.95
Abstract This paper includes an extensive literature review that suggests interaction is a critical component of language learning, and that for children to be successful, they must be presented with a classroom environment that encourages competency through interaction, such as in immersion. The author points out that a majority of studies suggest SLA (second language acquisition) results from an integrative approach to learning in which students are encouraged to use the target language in conjunction with the native language to boost comprehension and understanding. The paper relates that the research methodology will be an exploratory case study approach because it is the optimal method for identifying questions and selecting measurement constructs when significant uncertainty exists with regard to a programs operations, goals, and results.
Table of Content
Literature Review
Background
Learning a Language Summary: Learning a Language Learning Difficulties with Reading
Summary: Learning Difficulties with Reading
Language 1 and Language 2 Transfer
Second Language Acquisition Issues
Summary: SLA Acquisition Issues
Research Methodology
Illustrative Case Study
Exploratory Case Study
Critical Instance Case Study
Program Implementation Case Study
Program Effects Case Study
Research Design
Data Analysis
Assumptions
Limitations
From the Paper "Many studies exist that focus on learning English as a second language. The results of these studies indicate that learning a second language is challenging, and that a large population of students still struggle with language and literacy acquisition particularly in English. More than 2.8 million children enrolled in school in the United States are considered as having only limited English proficiency skills. Fifty percent of limited English students are enrolled in programs labeled "Transitional bilingual education" whose goals include literacy and content instruction in the native language with additional curriculum geared toward learning to speak and comprehend English. Formal instruction in English is achieved when students attain a certain level of competency in their native language literacy and when they have acquired adequate oral listening and comprehension skills in the English language."
Abstract This paper examines, how over the years, a number of theories have been developed that define the ways that reading instruction should be taught to students of English as a Second Language. It discusses how English as a second language instruction should be based upon the students? background knowledge, which involves a number of areas, including cultural background and identity, fluency in a primarylanguage and the ease in transition leading to the acquisition of a new language. It analyzes how, if these principles are behind the development of ESL curricula, students will gain the maximum benefits in their English instruction, including spoken and written language as well as the reading of English texts.
Outline:
Introduction to Background Knowledge
Reading Instruction and Background Knowledge
Classroom Strategies for English as a Second Language Students
Issues in the Development of English Proficiency
Background Knowledge and Study Skills for ESL Students
Conclusion
From the Paper "In addition to the potential established in learning a new language, English as a Second Language instructors must evaluate their students? fluency in their native tongues in order to determine the ease in which they will transition to obtaining new language skills (VanDuzer 2). This practice is largely determined by the student's cultural background, but all English language students will share a similar experience in learning to read in English and will approach the subject differently from how native English speakers confront it (VanDuzer 2). Rueda (15) also confirms this theory in his work that demonstrates that the use of cultural tools in English language instruction will enhance the sociocultural aspects of learning. "
Abstract This research proposal paper discusses the reasons why English language acquisition and acculturation may not be high priorities for foreign language speakers in the United States. The paper specifically aims to identify opportunities for improvement in foreign language educational services among foreign-born children enrolled in elementary (not including kindergarten) and secondary schools in the United States.
Table of Contents:
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Information on the Data
Data Analysis Statistical Design
Appendix
From the Paper "According to U.S. Census data from 2000, the total number of foreign-born children enrolled in elementary (not including kindergarten) and secondary schools in the United States was around two-and-a-half million (Ernst-Slavit, Moore & Maloney, 2002). When students that were born in the United States to foreign-born parents are included in this total, the figure actually increases to more than 12 million students. According to Ernst-Slavit and his colleagues (2002), "Although not all students from these figures would be ESL students, a significant portion of them are likely to be. These figures also suggest the imminent reality that all teachers, at some point during their careers, will have in their classrooms at least one student for whom English is a second language" (p. 116). Indeed, in many parts of the country such as Texas and New Mexico, a majority of the students may be ESL students (Waters, 2007). According to this author, "Few trends have changed the demographics of U.S. elementary and secondary schools as dramatically as the record-high immigration of the past dozen years. Students who are learning English for the first time, better known as English language learners, make up a greater proportion of the K-12 population than ever before" Waters, 2007, p. 34)."
Abstract In this book review of "How Children Learn the Meanings of Words", author Paul Bloom's theory of language acquisition in small children is explained. The paper discusses the primary theory called the "theory of mind," which is also called naive psychology. The paper explains that the book presents this theory on language acquisition through descriptions of research, presented in a clear and largely conversational manner. The writer of the review recommends this book to both students and to parents interested in helping their children acquire language.
Outline:
Theory of Mind
Fast Mapping
Objects and Concepts
Context Learning
About this Book
Conclusion
From the Paper "This book describes the process of language acquisition through syntactic cues that are present in the child's environment. Such a process is not just a part of language acquisition, but is also part of other forms of reasoning as well. The capacity to learn language in such a way belongs to human beings alone. Although other mammals are capable of communicating in what could be considered to be a limited language, only humans have the capability to acquire abstract concepts."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the negative consequences to Americans and American society suffered as a result of minimal foreign language skills. The paper compares the minimal emphasis that the American educational system places on learning a foreign language to the much stronger emphasis placed on learning a foreign language in virtually all other countries and then explains why the American educational system would be wise to implement better foreign language programs and promote the acquisition of a foreign language.
From the Paper "The world has about 6,000 different languages, give or take a few. Linguists predict that at least half of those may have disappeared by the year 2050, which means languages are becoming extinct at twice the rate of endangered animals and four times the rate of endangered birds. Predictions are that a dozen languages may dominate the world of the future at best. (Ostler, 2002) For Americans, that's probably a good thing, since we are seemingly genetically engineered to maintain an appalling ignorance of other languages, and have narrowed down the choices we offer our young people to approximately one, Spanish, viewed by many to be the easiest foreign language to learn. It has been described in various places as having an ?impoverished vocabulary,? which means less work for Dick and Jane. The American education system so far is doing nothing to reverse the endangered languages trend, and much to promote it. In fact, there has been a criminal drop-off in foreign language study in American high schools."
Abstract The paper offers an analysis of police officers' ability to use verbal and non-verbal strategies to communicate in a culturally diverse community while performing police forensic service calls. The paper offers strategies for how to communicate within a culturally diverse community. The paper analyzes the use of signals and symbols, personal space and body language. The paper examines the three most common misunderstandings that happen in cross cultural communication. The paper emphasizes how non-verbal communication skills help the police and the practice of these skills earn plenty of goodwill for the police officers from the community. The paper concludes that communication is the essence of fighting crime.
From the Paper "A police officer has to communicate, either through language, or nonverbally, through his body language, expressions, and gestures, to the people he deals with during the course of his duties. He would be definitely able to perform his duties better, if he were to learn the basics of the diverse cultures and people he comes into contact with, and if he was able to understand their gestures and signals well. Today, the concept of community policing' is fast catching up, and it is hoped that when a police officer becomes more involved with his community, then he would be better able to fight crime, by communicating better with them. Nonverbal Communication is a type of communication that can be defined as being based on the use of signals and body language and other similar paralinguistic and non linguistic messages in order to communicate with an individual. For example, when the person's primary language is something other than English, and the other person can only communicate in the English language, then nonverbal communication would be used to communicate something to the other."
