Educating English Language Learners for Success in the 21st Century

Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Chen

The purpose of this chapter is threefold: (a) to highlight the importance of teaching and learning multiliteracies for today's students to succeed in the 21st century, (b) to discuss the literature about multiliteracies and new technologies for teaching and student learning, and (c) to provide strategies for integrating technology effectively in teaching multiliteracies to English language learners (ELLs), the fastest growing segment of public student population in the USA. In this digital age, it is imperative that today's students acquire multiliteracies needed to succeed in school, in life, and in the global economy. Situated within this context, the chapter seeks to address this central inquiry: How can teachers of ELLs infuse technology effectively to facilitate these students' acquisition of multiliteracies? As educators continue to seek new and better approaches to optimizing ELLs' educational success, this chapter represents a contribution to this quest.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Seyyed Hatam Tamimi Sa’d ◽  
Fereshte Rajabi

Vocabulary constitutes an essential part of every language-learning endeavour and deserves scholarly attention. The objective of the present study was three-fold: 1) exploring Iranian English language learners’Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs), 2) examining language learners’ perceptions of vocabulary learning, and 3) exploring Iranian English language teachers’ Vocabulary Teaching Strategies (VTSs). In total, 145  intermediate learners of English as a foreign language, consisting of 114 males and 31 females aged 15 to 27, participated in the study. The triangulated data were collected using three tools: questionnaires, interviews, and class observations. Sixty-seven learners (31 females and 36 males) filled out a 56-statement questionnaire, adopted and adapted from Takač (2008) and translated into Persian. The questionnaire comprised two parts, enquiring as to the learners’ VLSs and the teachers’ VTSs. The findings indicated that females and males differed significantly in their reported VLSs and their teachers’ use of various VTSs. Additionally, 78 learners were interviewed as to their perceptions of effective and ineffective VLSs as well as VTSs. The findings revealed that the most effective VLSs were reported to be: a) reciting, repeating and listening to words, b) using words, and c) memorising words while the most effective VTSs revolved around: a) explanation, b) repetition, and c) dictation. The observations also confirmed the findings obtained via the questionnaire and interviews. In general, the findings are indicative of the limited repertoire of vocabulary acquisition techniques employed by Iranian EFL learners, hence the need for strategy training in how to acquire vocabulary. 


Author(s):  
Nilsa J. Thorsos

This chapter explores the phenomenon of heritage language loss (mother tongue) and the implications for English only speakers born in the USA with parents who are first- and second-generation English language learners. Drawing from critical race theory (CRT), first language loss is examined in the perceptions of Americanism, nationalism, citizenship, otherness, and discrimination. In addition, the chapter examines the dynamics of Latinx parents' decision to encourage their children to speak English only and as a result erode their ability to speak their first language (L1) or mother tongue and cultural identity. The author makes the case for language maintenance and assurance of all children learning English, without losing their mother tongue.


2019 ◽  
pp. 549-563
Author(s):  
Robert Pritchard ◽  
Susan O'Hara ◽  
Jeff Zwiers

An emerging body of research is demonstrating the potential of new technologies such as iPad and phone apps, wikis, blogs, podcasts and web-based editing tools for significantly improving the academic language development of English language learners. The authors of this chapter present an expanded definition of academic language, explain why these new technologies are important, and discuss how they can be used to provide effective and innovative mathematics instruction to English language learners. Three classroom vignettes demonstrate specific ways in which a variety of technologies can be implemented across grade levels to meet the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice and Content.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Han ◽  
Masdinah Alauyah Md Yusof

The English language learners’ needs changes from time to time. In Malaysia, the focus of English teaching and learning has shifted from accuracy to fluency; the effective usage of the language. Learners are expected to use the English language in daily communication and to learn the workplace English language communication skill. Due to this demand, language lecturers at higher institutions are expected to assist English language learners to use the language fluently rather than to concentrate heavily on form. Nevertheless, instigating speaking activities in Malaysian classrooms has never been easy and successful. This research was conducted with an aim to identify the underlying factors that motivate or demotivate students’ participation in an English oral classroom. The data were qualitatively collected via students’ self-reflection reports on their own participation in the English language oral class. It was found that teacher’s personality traits, students’ communication skills, learning environment, students’ motivation, self-confidence and topical knowledge, and fascinating discussion topics play significant roles in students’ participation in the English oral class. Thus, these findings could guide language teachers to consider relevant and creative oral activities to encourage students’ active classroom participation.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Nurul Jannah Ahmad Ghulamuddin ◽  
Siti Khadijah Mohd Mohari ◽  
Kamisah Ariffin

Writing is perceived to be one of the most difficult skills for English language learners to master. Although studies on challenges faced by ESL students in writing are replete, most of them have focused on students at secondary and tertiary levels of education. Studies on learners at lower level have been scarce. Thus, this paper aims to fill the gap by examining the major problems faced by ESL primary school level students in writing in English. Survey and interview sessions were conducted to fit the purpose of the study. Data were collected from a class of 26 students from Year/Standard 6 of the primary school level in Malaysia and an interview session with the English teacher of that particular class. The findings indicate that the major difficulties charted are rooted in the students’ poor mastery in vocabulary, inability to spell words correctly and L1 interference. Thus, in order to enhance the students’ skills in writing in English, the teacher implemented some remedial measures during the teaching and learning sessions. The findings have essential pedagogical implications on understanding students’ struggle to write in English at the lower level of education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.I. Bozhok ◽  
L.I. Bilins’ka ◽  
M.M. Gomola

The aim of this research is to highlight some problems in teaching and learning English as a foreign language. As there exist different ways in mastering foreign languages there also exist many methods of their teaching. In the course of training many students face with spelling, inflection, pronunciation, grammar and other common problems which are constantly investigated and solved. According to the level of any individual group of students the approach of organization and conduction of the lesson should also be individual as learners make different mistakes. So teachers of any foreign language must not just get formal education but also be aware of modern techniques and approaches.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-55
Author(s):  
M. John Britto

Counselling plays a significant role in bringing out a remarkable change in an individual’s personal and professional life. It has entered a number of domains including education. As human problems are mushrooming day by day in this hi-tech world, there is a dire need for finding solutions to those problems. It is counselling that comes to one’s aid to solve one’s problems that are psychological and personal. In English language teaching and learning too, there are multiple problems encountered by teachers and students as well. This paper discusses how counselling is indispensable to English Language Teaching (ELT) for finding solutions to problems faced by English language learners. Exploring the relevance of counselling to ELT, it also seeks to highlight the benefits of integrating it with ELT. It brings out the need for introspection of English language teachers to provide counselling to students. It enumerates various counselling skills, and presents an account of problem-solving method in ELT and eight approaches to counselling.


2019 ◽  
pp. 265-271
Author(s):  
Oguamanam Ann Dibugo

This paper sets out to investigate the challenges facing the Nigerian teacher of English language in order to boost effective teaching and learning of the language. The importance of English language in our Nigerian society is glaring and the teacher of English is an important agent in the achievement of proficiency in the spoken and written English. The teacher encounters a lot of challenges in the process of imparting knowledge to English language learners in a second language environment. This study also examines the place of English language in Nigeria, the expected roles of the teacher and proffers some recommendations to these challenges facing the Nigerian teacher of English language.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Afshin Peerdadeh Beiranvand ◽  
Ali Entezamara

<p>Inevitably, language learners make mistakes, and teachers correct them. It is, also, crystal clear that language learners have different attitudes towards error and error correction strategies. Needless to say, language teachers’ awareness of language learners’ perceptions towards error and error correction strategies can heighten the quality and the quantity of language teaching and learning process. This study based on the findings of a questionnaire and a test given to 82 male and female English language learners in Iran Language Institute (ILI) investigates: 1) whether ILI English language learners have positive or negative attitudes towards classroom oral error corrections; 2) whether there is a relationship between ILI English language learners’ perceptions towards classroom oral error corrections and their pronunciation accuracy; 3) if there is a relationship between ILI learners’ gender and their attitudes towards classroom oral error corrections. The findings of this study show that ILI English language learners have absolutely positive attitudes towards classroom oral error corrections, which means they want to be corrected. The findings, also, show that there is not any significant relationship between ILI English language learners’ perceptions towards classroom oral error corrections and their pronunciation accuracy. The findings, also, show that there is not any significant relationship between ILI English language learners’ perceptions towards classroom oral error corrections and their gender.</p>


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