Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Publication Title

International Journal of Inclusive Education

Volume

14

Issue Number

1

First Page

49

Last Page

65

DOI

10.1080/13603110802504127

Keywords

English language learner, language, pedagogy, power

Disciplines

Secondary Education and Teaching

Abstract

This study explored to what extent two groups of mainstream teachers in the midwestern region of the USA with differing degrees of English Language Learner (ELL) specific universitypreparation reportedly engaged in practises that incorporated the native languages (L1) of ELL students in instruction. The study further examined specific strategies reported by mainstream teachers in promoting L1 use in instruction as well as challenges identified in implementing this practise. The study utilized a mixed-method design that included analyses of survey data from a quantitative study (n=227) and qualitative analyses of teacher discourse from course documents and open-ended survey questions. Findings indicated that while both groups of teachers reportedly engaged in practises that promoted L1 use in instruction to some extent, teachers with at least three courses of ELL-specific university preparation appeared to engage in these practises to a much greater extent than those without such preparation. This paper explores the implications of results from this study for teacher education programmes in the USA with the responsibility of preparing teachers to effectively serve growing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.

Comments

Copyright © 2010 Taylor and Francis. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of an article published in the International Journal of Inclusive Education, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603110802504127 .

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