Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Yoruba learners of English'

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ levels of mobile device implementation and any measured differences in English Language Learners’ (ELLs’) performance in each modality of the ACCESS test. Researchers often support the use of mobile devices in the classroom, but this study was unique because of a combination of how it was focused solely on language development in ELLs, how classrooms were placed on the SAMR spectrum, and how student performance was analyzed in each modality measured by the ACCESS test (Budiman, 2014; Donahue, 2014; Marek, 2014; Mulcahy, 2017). Included in this study were 37 classrooms and corresponding teachers of grades kindergarten through four. For the 2016-2017 school year, participants taught in a district with both a one-to-one mobile device ratio and a high ELL population. Based on survey results, teachers’ reported instructional methods led to understanding of what levels of the SAMR spectrum students in each classroom were experiencing. The SAMR instructional levels were then compared to student ACCESS scores in each modality using an ANOVA as well as an additional TUKEY test when needed. The study yielded just one statistically significant ANOVA result. In third grade listening, SAMR level one classrooms were statistically different from SAMR level three classrooms but not level four classrooms (SAMR level zero and level two classrooms were not present in the particular data set). No other data set yielded statistically significant results between a SAMR instructional level and ACCESS scores in reading, speaking, listening, or writing modalities as well as students’ overall performance.

This study described how 7^th grade English Language Learners (ELLs) in a public middle school used the multimodal Technology Enhanced Knowledge Support System (TEKS2), to learn social studies content and vocabulary, as well as improve reading comprehension, by examining learner assessment scores, and by addressing their views of the experience. Using literature related to ELLs, social studies learning and reading comprehension, multimodal and technology enhanced learning, collaboration, and engagement the TEKS2 was developed through a Design Based Research approach.

Reading comprehension assessments were developed using passages and questions from state and national assessments, and administered on a pre and post study basis. Content and vocabulary assessments were constructed using questions from state standardized tests and cooperating teacher input, and given after each of the two units covered during the study. A learner interview protocol was established based on literature consulted, modified based on findings emerging from quantitative data processing, with interviews being conducted after both units were completed.

Five questions focused this study: 1. Is there a difference in social studies content knowledge achievement between ELLs who use the TEKS2 and those who learn through teacher directed instruction? 2. Is there a difference in social studies vocabulary knowledge achievement between ELLs who use the TEKS2 and those who learn through teacher directed instruction? 3. Is there a difference in the ability to read social studies text between ELLs who use the TEKS2 and those who learn through teacher directed instruction? 4. Is there a relationship between ELLs’ characteristics (primary language, ELL level, gender, age, teacher, school) and scores on social studies related content, reading, and vocabulary tests? 5. What do ELLs report about their experiences using TEKS2?

Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Scores on post unit content/vocabulary tests were analyzed using independent samples t-tests to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between teacher-directed (control) and TEKS2 learners. Effect sizes were also analyzed to determine the size of difference. Multivariable regression analyses were used to determine which ELL characteristics (primary language, ELL level, gender, age, teacher, school) had the greatest influence on social studies related content, reading, and vocabulary test performance. Learner opinions expressed in interviews were analyzed using deductive and inductive coding.

Data analyses showed the TEKS2 had a large statistically significant influence on social studies content and vocabulary learning. Analysis of learner reading comprehension post-test scores indicated the TEKS2 had a non-significant outcome with a small effect size. Qualitative analysis of learner interviews showed they saw the TEKS2 as a good way to learn due to its multimodal technology enhanced nature, the chance to collaborate, and teacher support.

Findings from this study support several recommendations related to supporting ELLs in multimodal technology enhanced learning environments. Designers of such systems should reach out to teachers who will be involved in using it as the design process proceeds. In addition, teachers using this approach should seek support reaching out to undocumented parents. It would also be beneficial for school administration to support professional development related to design and implementation of TEKS2 type learning that continues throughout a school year with both in-person and online sessions. Further research examining the design and implementation of TEKS2 learning in English, Math, or Science would be worthwhile.

This quantitative study examined the role that metacognition and self-efficacy, through goal-setting practices, play in increasing English proficiency of middle school English learners.

The problem addressed was middle school English learners' lack of awareness of the need to be English proficient before entering high school if they want to be qualified for the A-G college-bound coursework.

A 20-question online survey was used. Students at both schools were given a preintervention survey. This was followed by an intervention at one school, which concluded with a postintervention survey at both schools. Analysis of data gathered from surveys, along with standardized assessment, culminated the study.

A McNemar test was completed to compare each variable between the pre-survey and the post-survey to test the statistical hypotheses of this study. Additionally, percentage comparisons were performed to examine relationships between pre- and post-survey responses with both Likert-scale and time options.

Findings of this study indicate that, for the experimental group, there were substantial percentage increases between pre- and post-surveys, statistically significant findings in more than one area, and a larger percentage increase in English proficiency.

Findings indicate that, for the control group middle school English learner students who did not participate in the cognitive learning intervention, there was little or no difference between the pre- and post-survey results. These findings demonstrate the critical need for metacognive and self-efficacious experiences for Latino middle school English learner students.

The overall positive trends and the statistically significant findings for the experimental group can have a direct implication for strategies used in the education of middle school English learner students. In an age-appropriate manner, cognitive learning interventions, to include increased awareness and goal setting, can be implemented for all Latino middle school English learners.

As the population of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow in schools, so does the concern for their lack of academic progress and the possible inequitable representation of this culturally and linguistically diverse population in special education (Artiles, Rueda, Salazar, & Higareda, 2005; Guiberson, 2009; Mac Swan & Rolstad, 2006; Rinaldi & Samson, 2008). Of particular concern is the increase of ELLs with an eligibility of Specific Learning Disability (SLD), especially when examined at the local level (Klinger, Artiles, & Barletta, 2006). To understand this phenomenon at the local level, this mixed-method study examined ELLs with SLD in a large California urban school district by targeting English language development (ELD) at the macro and micro level. The researcher accomplished this focus by examining the relationship between English language proficiency levels, grade levels, and type of learning disorder among kindergarten through twelfth grade ELLs with SLD. The researcher analyzed cumulative educational records of three eighth grade ELLs with SLD, including Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), to examine how ELD needs have been addressed. The results of the quantitative portion of this study revealed greater distribution patterns of ELLs with SLD in sixth through ninth grades. The researcher also found ELLs with SLD to be primarily represented in the early stages of ELD (beginning, early intermediate, and intermediate) and identified with an auditory processing disorder. Results of the case studies also revealed that after nine years of ELD instruction, the students had not reclassified as English proficient and documented evidence of ELD instruction and support was minimal.

Several studies across various languages have shown that monolingual listeners perceive significant differences between the speech of monolinguals and bilinguals. However, these differences may not always affect the phoneme category as identified by the listener or the speaker; differences may often be found between tokens corresponding to unique phonological categories and, as such, be more easily detectable through acoustic analysis. We hypothesized that unshared English vowels produced by young Spanish-English bilinguals would have measurably different formant values and duration than the same vowels produced by young English monolinguals because of Spanish influence on English phonology. We did not find significant differences in formant values between the two groups, but we found that SpanishEnglish bilinguals produced certain vowels with longer duration than English monolinguals. Our findings add to the ever-growing body of literature on bilingual language acquisition and the perception of accentedness.