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Descriptors:
English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Systems Approach; Japanese; Second Language Instruction; Sampling; Universities; College Students; Observation; Classroom Communication; Oral Language; Student Participation

Abstract:
Japanese language learners' proclivity for silence has been alluded to by various writers (e.g. Anderson 1993; Korst 1997; Greer 2000) and is supported by plenty of anecdotal evidence, but large-scale, empirical studies aimed at measuring the extent of macro-level silence within Japanese university L2 classrooms are notably lacking. This article responds to the gap in the literature by reporting on an extensive, multi-site study which used a structured observation methodology to investigate the classroom behaviour of 924 English language learners across nine universities. A total of 48 hours of data were collected using a minute-by-minute sampling strategy which resulted in some surprising results. Students were found to be responsible for less than one per cent of initiated talk within their classes, while over a fifth of all class time observed was characterized by no oral participation by any participants, staff, or students alike. These results are interpreted from a dynamic systems theory perspective, which suggests that silence emerges through multiple routes and has now formed a semi-permanent attractor state within the study's L2 university classrooms. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Inclusion; Discourse Analysis; Video Technology; Beginning Teachers; Language Teachers; Professional Identity; English (Second Language); Case Studies; Qualitative Research; Foreign Countries; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Self Concept; Form Classes (Languages); Language Usage; Teacher Attitudes

Abstract:
This qualitative case study explores how a novice foreign language teacher negotiated personal and professional identities and positioned herself and students in relation to classroom and broader cultural communities through pronouns. The participants included a Turkish teacher and six students at an American university. The teacher's use of pronouns "we", "you", and "they" was explored using video-recorded classroom observations and discourse analysis. The findings indicated the different ways the teacher used pronouns in the classroom to include/exclude or "invite" students into Turkish community, and how the switches between personal and professional perspectives signaled the teacher's journey towards embracing inclusive education. (Contains 8 tables.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Teacher Motivation; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Language Teachers; Self Concept; Foreign Countries; Beginning Teachers; Reflection; Secondary School Teachers; Second Language Instruction; Interviews

Abstract:
This study employed possible selves theory (Markus & Nurius, 1986) to conduct an interpretive inquiry into the teaching motivation of four novice secondary school EFL teachers in Japan. The narrative analysis of the interview data revealed that the conflicts between the young teachers' different possible selves negatively affected their motivation in their early days of teaching. However, such conflicts gradually induced self-reflection in the minds of the novices, which eventually helped them reshape their self-concepts and regain their motivation. The author concludes by suggesting to related parties some measures to assist novice teachers' entry into secondary school teaching. (Contains 1 table.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Achievement Tests; English (Second Language); Speech Communication; Second Language Learning; Oral Language; Language Proficiency; Asians; Engineering Education; College Students; Computer Assisted Testing; Internet; Language Skills; Task Analysis; Recall (Psychology); Scores; Language Tests; Correlation

Abstract:
This study investigated the strategic behaviors that test-takers reported using when responding to integrated and independent speaking tasks in an English oral proficiency test [the Speaking Section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language[TM] (TOEFL iBT)] and the relationship between test-takers' strategic behaviors and their test scores. Each of 30 Chinese-speaking engineering students responded to two independent and four integrated speaking tasks and provided stimulated recalls about the strategies they used when performing each task. The integrated tasks elicited a wider variety of reported strategy use than did the independent tasks. Additionally, the integrated tasks were more alike with respect to reported strategy use than were the independent and integrated tasks. Overall, we found no relationship between the total number of reported strategic behaviors and total test scores, regardless of task type. Our finding that the more skills involved in a task, the greater the reported strategy use supports the inclusion of integrated tasks in oral proficiency tests. However, the relationships between strategy use, task type, and task performance are varied and complex. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Literacy; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Listening Comprehension; Vocabulary; Reading Comprehension; English Language Learners; Oral Language; Grade 2; Predictor Variables; Native Language; Models; Sino Tibetan Languages; Role; Chinese Americans; Elementary School Students

Abstract:
In this paper, first language (L1) and second language (L2) oral language and word reading skills were used as predictors to devise a model of reading comprehension in young Cantonese-speaking English language learners (ELLs) in the United States. L1 and L2 language and literacy measures were collected from a total of 101 Cantonese-speaking ELLs during the early spring of second grade. Results show that English vocabulary and English word decoding, as measured with real and nonsense words, played significant roles in English reading comprehension. In particular, results highlight the crucial role of English vocabulary in the development of L2 English literacy skills. English listening comprehension did not predict English reading comprehension. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Intervention; Spelling; English (Second Language); Reading Comprehension; Beginning Reading; Second Language Learning; Native Speakers; Paraprofessional Personnel; Elementary School Students; Tutoring; Prediction; Literacy; Outcomes of Education; Grade 3; Reading Instruction; Teaching Methods

Abstract:
For 2 years we followed lower-performing English learner (EL) and native English speaking (non-EL) students who participated in an efficacy trial of a supplemental first-grade code-oriented intervention implemented by paraeducators. At the end of grade three, across all students (n = 180 of the original 187 students), treatment effects were maintained on word reading (approximate d = 0.45), spelling (0.36) and reading comprehension (0.24). However, treatment effects tended to be smaller for EL students, and were significantly smaller for spelling in particular. While pretest grade one word reading did not moderate treatment response for either ELs or non-ELs, it was found to strongly predict all three end-of- grade-three outcomes, although to a lesser extent for ELs on reading comprehension. Findings add support to previous research on the benefits of early code-oriented tutoring. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Profiles; Phonetics; Alphabets; Spelling; Kindergarten; Speech Communication; Second Language Learning; Emergent Literacy; Phonological Awareness; English Language Learners; Spanish Speaking; English (Second Language); Second Language Instruction; Multivariate Analysis; Grade 1; Correlation; Hispanic American Students

Abstract:
This study explored heterogeneity in literacy development among 2,300 Hispanic children receiving English as a Second Language (ESL) services at the start of kindergarten. Two research questions guided this work: (1) Do Spanish-speaking English language learners receiving ESL services in the fall of kindergarten demonstrate homogeneous early literacy skills, or are there distinct patterns of achievement across measures of phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and orthography? and (2) if there are distinct profiles, to what extent do they predict literacy achievement at the end of kindergarten and the beginning of first grade? Using cluster analysis, the authors identified four distinct literacy profiles derived from fall kindergarten measures of phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and phonetic spelling. These profiles were found to be associated with literacy outcomes in spring of kindergarten and fall of first grade. The two profiles that were associated with greater success on later measures of concept of word in text, letter sound knowledge, word reading, and spelling were the two that included stronger performance on orthographic skills (i.e., alphabet knowledge and phonetic spelling). These findings demonstrated that there is heterogeneity among Hispanic ESL students at kindergarten entry and suggested that literacy instruction must be differentiated from the very beginning in order to meet students' individual needs. The findings also suggested that orthographic skills should be assessed and taught early on. While phonological awareness may be a necessary precursor to reading, phonological awareness in the absence of orthographic skills may not be sufficient. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Semantics; English (Second Language); Psycholinguistics; Translation; Sentences; Native Language; Second Language Learning; Morphology (Languages); Korean; Language Research; Error Analysis (Language); Syntax; Language Processing; Linguistic Input

Abstract:
This article examined the integration of semantic and morphosyntactic information by Korean learners of English as a second language (L2). In Experiment 1, L2 learners listened to English active or passive sentences that were either plausible or implausible and translated them into Korean. A significant number of Korean translations maintained the original passive/active structure, but switched the thematic roles of the actors in the sentences. In Experiment 2, the direction of translation was reversed and participants made very few translation errors, showing that the errors in Experiment 1 were not due to participants' lack of control over the English passive morphosyntax. The results are strikingly similar to previous results in the first language (L1) psycholinguistics literature, and support a view of L2 processing (like L1 processing) that is "good enough" in nature: misinterpretations arise from only a "good enough" integration of semantic and morphosyntactic information in the input. (Contains 2 figures, 7 tables and 3 notes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Adult Learning; Adult Students; Grammar; Second Language Learning; Semantics; Pragmatics; Sentences; Native Language; Syntax; Difficulty Level; Korean; English (Second Language); Phrase Structure; Nouns; Transfer of Training; Cognitive Processes; Task Analysis

Abstract:
Second language (L2) learners have been found to experience difficulty in tasks that require the integration of discourse-pragmatic properties with syntactic and semantic properties (Sorace and Serratrice, 2009; Tsimpli and Sorace, 2006; Valenzuela, 2006). The present article investigates the sources of L2 difficulty in a phenomenon where multiple components of linguistic analysis are involved. The study examines L1-Korean L2-English adult learners' interpretation of English sentences with the universally quantified object NP ("every" NP) and negation using an offline contextualized acceptability judgment task. The results suggest that the sources of L2 variability reflect L2 adults' focus on content and meaning access and L1 transfer of interpretive preferences in initial to intermediate stages of acquisition but are replaced by the difficulty of integrating L2 pragmatic properties with other aspects of linguistic analysis in the advanced stages, a difficulty which can nevertheless be overcome in ultimate attainment. The study posits pragmatic information to be one of the last considerations for L2 learners when multiple types of information need to be integrated to calculate meaning despite the fact that L2 adults possess mature cognitive mechanisms and pragmatic abilities. (Contains 6 tables, 2 figures and 7 notes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; Content Analysis; Teacher Educators; Educational Practices; Teacher Education; Teacher Education Curriculum; Interviews; News Reporting; Cultural Context; Student Role; Outcomes of Education; Models; Reputation; Curriculum Implementation; Language of Instruction; International Cooperation; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Semitic Languages

Abstract:
By examining why nations borrow policy discourses, research on transfer has overlooked the implementation of transferred educational practices, models, or curricula. This study attempts to bridge this gap by examining the transfer and implementation of teacher education curricula in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Based on interviews with teacher educators and administrators and document analysis of college materials and newspaper articles, the study shows that the significant actors' interpretations of the local culture, context, and students' abilities play a central role in modifying, reducing, or substituting the transferred curriculum. These findings raise questions whether transfers lead to the outcomes that nations engaging in them expect to gain. The study reveals that the choice of a model deals less with the intended outcomes but more with the nation's symbolic orientations of political and economic alliances, as well as their pursuit of power and prestige. (Contains 2 notes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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