English Language Learners' Nonword Repetition Performance: The Influence of Age, L2 Vocabulary Size, Length of L2 Exposure, and L1 Phonology

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Sorenson Duncan ◽  
Johanne Paradis
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
South Asian ◽  
English Language ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Nonword Repetition ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

Purpose This study examined individual differences in English language learners' (ELLs) nonword repetition (NWR) accuracy, focusing on the effects of age, English vocabulary size, length of exposure to English, and first-language (L1) phonology. Method Participants were 75 typically developing ELLs (mean age 5;8 [years;months]) whose exposure to English began on average at age 4;4. Children spoke either a Chinese language or South Asian language as an L1 and were given English standardized tests for NWR and receptive vocabulary. Results Although the majority of ELLs scored within or above the monolingual normal range (71%), 29% scored below. Mixed logistic regression modeling revealed that a larger English vocabulary, longer English exposure, South Asian L1, and older age all had significant and positive effects on ELLs' NWR accuracy. Error analyses revealed the following L1 effect: onset consonants were produced more accurately than codas overall, but this effect was stronger for the Chinese group whose L1s have a more limited coda inventory compared with English. Conclusion ELLs' NWR performance is influenced by a number of factors. Consideration of these factors is important in deciding whether monolingual norm referencing is appropriate for ELL children.

Children's Nonword Repetition Tasks and English Language Learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-79
Author(s):  
Sara C. Steele ◽  
Deborah A. Hwa-Froelich
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Nonword Repetition ◽  
Adopted Children ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
Internationally Adopted Children ◽  
English Speaking

Nonword repetition performance has been shown to differentiate monolingual English-speaking children with language impairment (LI) from typically developing children. These tasks have been administered to monolingual speakers of different languages and to simultaneous and sequential bilingual English Language Learners (ELLs) with mixed results. This article includes a review of the nonword repetition performance of monolingual and bilingual speakers and of internationally adopted children. Clinical implications for administration and interpretation of nonword repetition task outcomes are included.

Are Reading Interventions for English Language Learners Effective? A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caralyn Ludwig ◽  
Kan Guo ◽  
George K. Georgiou
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Reading Fluency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Reading Interventions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reading Accuracy ◽  
Positive Effects

Despite concerted efforts to improve the reading skills of English language learners (ELLs), it remains unclear if the interventions they have been receiving produce any positive results. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine how effective reading interventions are in improving ELLs’ reading skills and what factors may influence their effectiveness. Twenty-six studies with reported outcomes for pretest and posttest were selected, and four moderators (group size, intensity of intervention, students’ risk status, and type of intervention) were coded. The results of random-effects analyses showed that the reading interventions had a large effect on ELLs’ reading accuracy ( d = 1.221) and reading fluency ( d = 0.802) and a moderate effect on reading comprehension ( d = 0.499). In addition, for real-word reading accuracy, intervention groups composed of more than five students were less effective than groups composed of two to five students, and longer intervention sessions were less effective than shorter ones. Overall, our findings suggest that reading interventions have positive effects on ELLs’ reading skills, and they should not be delayed until these students have reached a certain level of oral English proficiency.

The Effects of the Initial English Language Learner Classification on Students’ Later Academic Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nami Shin
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Regression Discontinuity ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Elementary Grades ◽  
Regression Discontinuity Design ◽  
State Laws ◽  
Positive Effects

Despite federal and state laws and regulations that require states and local districts to provide English language learners (ELLs) with support services, prior research has indicated that ELLs are, in general, lagging behind non-ELLs in academic achievement. An unanswered question is whether the initial designation of students as ELL influences their later academic achievement and how. Using a regression discontinuity design, this study compares the outcomes for students near the cutoff for being initially classified as ELL and initially fluent English proficient (IFEP) students. Among students near the cutoff, the classification had significant positive effects on ELLs’ academic achievement in elementary grades and, to some extent, in the later grades.

scholarly journals Developing English language learners’ oral production with a digital game-based mobile application

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0232671
Author(s):  
Zehua Wang ◽  
Feifei Han
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
English Language ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Digital Game ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Mean

This study examined the effect of using a digital game-based language learning mobile application “Liulishuo” (speaking English fluently) to develop complexity, accuracy, and fluency of English monologic oral production among 30 English language learners in China. Monologic oral production was measured using the same narrative picture description task in pre- and post-tests. The learners followed the “Imitation of English Monologues” game 30 minutes each time, twice a week, for 20 weeks. The oral production was measured using six indices: the mean words per T-unit and lexical density (i.e., complexity), the mean repairs and errors per 100 words (i.e., accuracy), speech rate and the mean length of pauses (i.e., fluency). The paired sample t-tests showed that the participants produced more complex monologic speech, had significantly fewer errors, and increased speech rate, but the mean repairs and mean length of pauses remained unchanged. The unchanged repairs and pauses could be possibly due to the non-proceduralized linguistic knowledge in oral production, which may require a more extended period of treatment. Our study showed positive effects of using a digital game-based language learning mobile application on the improvement of complexity, accuracy, and fluency of English language learners in China’ monologic oral production with varying effects.

scholarly journals Incidental vocabulary acquisition from documentary viewing: A study on the role of captions

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-96
Author(s):  
Marion Durbahn
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Incidental Vocabulary ◽  
Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Relative Gains ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

This study investigated the incidental acquisition of second language (L2) vocabulary through the viewing of a 30-minute science documentary and the effect of captioning on this process. Thirty-four English language learners watched two documentaries (one captioned and one uncaptioned) and were then assessed on their knowledge of a set of words appearing in the documentaries. Results of the Vocabulary Tests (Form-recall/Spelling, and Meaning recognition) showed that documentary viewing led to significant acquisition of new vocabulary and that the captioning condition had a significant effect on this learning. Captioning boosted the gains on meaning recognition, form recall and spelling. Results indicated that relative gains in the captioning condition are 8% significantly higher than in the uncaptioned condition.

English vocabulary development in bilingual kindergarteners: What are the best predictors?

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
YUUKO UCHIKOSHI
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Vocabulary Development ◽  
Expressive Vocabulary ◽  
Preschool Attendance ◽  
Latino English Language Learners ◽  
Home Literacy Activities ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

This study examines growth rates in vocabulary over an academic year for 150 Latino English language learners. In October, February, and June of kindergarten, participants completed standardized measures of receptive and expressive vocabulary. Before the second and third assessments, a third of the children watched Arthur three times a week during school hours, while another third viewed Between the Lions. The last third did not view either show during school hours. Data on children's preschool experiences and home literacy activities were collected. Growth modeling analyses show while there were no effects of classroom viewing, children who viewed Arthur and Between the Lions at home had steeper growth trajectories than those who had not. Additional effects of native language home use and preschool attendance were seen. Boys displayed better English vocabulary skills than girls. These findings suggest the importance of English exposure and native language maintenance for English L2 vocabulary development.

Receptive Vocabulary Levels of Malaysian University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Hazwani Munirah Lateh ◽  
Sarimah Shamsudin ◽  
Abdul Halim Abdul Raof
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
University Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Mastery Level

Acquiring adequate vocabulary knowledge is necessary for English language learners in order to be able to function effectively using the language. The study investigated the English language receptive vocabulary knowledge among Malaysian undergraduates in terms of word levels. The Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) by Schmitt et al., (2001) was employed in order to assess the students’ receptive vocabulary knowledge at five different word levels. The result reveals majority of the students are weak in terms of their receptive vocabulary knowledge and most of them failed to reach the mastery level for all the five word levels; 40 (57%) of the students do not master the 2000 word level, 58 (83%) of the students do not master the 3000 word level, 65 (93%) of the students do not master the 5000 word level, 70 (100%) of the students do not master the 10000 word level and 65 (93%) of the students do not master the academic word level. The findings were useful insights on the English language receptive vocabulary knowledge among Malaysian university students in terms of word levels.

scholarly journals Thainess-based English lessons: Reshaping grassroots English education

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Budsaba Kanoksilapatham
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Education ◽  
Language Education ◽  
English Language Education ◽  
Northern Thailand ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The North

In Thailand, the question of how to improve the abilities of English language learners without affecting their Thai identity has arisen. This article reports a study that demonstrates that a series of specifically northern Thainess-based instructions for Grade 4 pupils in northern Thailand could not only teach the pupils about their northern Thainess, but also improve their English vocabulary. A set of northern Thainess-based English lessons as well as the corresponding Thainess and English vocabulary pretests and posttests were designed for use in four elementary schools in the north of Thailand. The pretest and posttest scores on both aspects showed that both the pupils’ appreciation of Thainess and their knowledge of English vocabulary considerably improved. The result suggests the positive effects of this system of learning.  From a pedagogical viewpoint, it seems that the use of such materials may well be used to improve and reshape English language education throughout the country.

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