Differences in Language Proficiency and Learning Strategies Among Immigrant Women to Canada

Immigrant women to Canada face unique challenges in gaining mastery of English or French, the country’s two official languages. The study focuses on differences among women with respect to pre-migration and post-migration characteristics that position them differently with respect to language learning in the social contexts where they assert their immigrant identity. This study examines issues in language acquisition among adult immigrant women and their strategies to improve language skills within four years of arrival, using nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC). The study shows that older women, less educated women, and some immigration class groups (i.e., spouse/dependents, family class, refugees) have lower language proficiency at arrival and less chances to improve. Since immigrant women represent a heterogeneous group in terms of pre-migration language skills and access to language learning, adequate language learning support is required to facilitate their effective integration in the Canadian society.     

Predictors and Outcomes of Early vs. Later English Language Proficiency Among English Language Learners

The development of English language learners (ELLs) was explored from kindergarten through eighth grade within a nationally representative sample of first-time kindergartners (N = 19,890). Growth curve analyses indicated that, compared to native English speakers, ELLs were rated by teachers more favorably on approaches to learning, self control, and externalizing behaviors in kindergarten and generally continued to grow in a positive direction on these social/behavioral outcomes at a steeper rate compared to their native English-speaking peers, holding other factors constant. Differences in reading and math achievement between ELLs and native English speakers varied based on the grade at which English proficiency is attained. Specifically, ELLs who were proficient in English by kindergarten entry kept pace with native English speakers in both reading and math initially and over time; ELLs who were proficient by first grade had modest gaps in reading and math achievement compared to native English speakers that closed narrowly or persisted over time; and ELLs who were not proficient by first grade had the largest initial gaps in reading and math achievement compared to native speakers but the gap narrowed over time in reading and grew over time in math. Among those whose home language is not English, acquiring English proficiency by kindergarten entry was associated with better cognitive and behavioral outcomes through eighth grade compared to taking longer to achieve proficiency. Multinomial regression analyses indicated that child, family, and school characteristics predict achieving English proficiency by kindergarten entry compared to achieving proficiency later. Results are discussed in terms of policies and practices that can support ELL children's growth and development.     

汉语对英语学习的影响(英文)

本文应用一些语言习得理论来探讨汉语学习的经历对英语学习究竟会有积极还是消极影响,从不同角度可以得出不同结论。基于语言之间的共同点,汉语学习对英语学习会有促进作用;然而由于它们分属于不同的语族,在形态学、句法、语音和一些具体的语法规则上表现出不同,在某种程度上势必对英语学习产生阻碍。因此,作为一种学习策略的汉语学习经历以及汉语学习的技巧可以用于英语学习中;同时教师应该观察和对比英汉两种语言,预见在学习过程中易导致错误的差异,以此来帮助英语学习者。     

English Language Proficiency and Early School Attainment Among Children Learning English as an Additional Language

Children learning English as an additional language (EAL) often experience lower academic attainment than monolingual peers. In this study, teachers provided ratings of English language proficiency and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning for 782 children with EAL and 6,485 monolingual children in reception year (ages 4–5). Academic attainment was assessed in reception and Year 2 (ages 6–7). Relative to monolingual peers with comparable English language proficiency, children with EAL displayed fewer social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties in reception, were equally likely to meet curriculum targets in reception, and were more likely to meet targets in Year 2. Academic attainment and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in children with EAL are associated with English language proficiency at school entry.     

Limited English Proficiency and Socioemotional Well-Being Among Asian and Hispanic Children From Immigrant Families

Research Findings: Previous research has suggested that children from immigrant families face multiple stressors associated with acculturation. One component of acculturation that has not been widely explored in relation to children's socioemotional development is limited English proficiency (LEP). Given that English is the main language used in American schools, it is important to understand how LEP can affect the socioemotional development of children from immigrant families whose 1st language is not English. This study explores the effects of LEP on the socioemotional development of 5,268 Hispanic and 2,088 Asian American children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study data set (first 3 waves of data). Results from generalized estimating equation analyses revealed significant interactions between ethnicity and language status. English-proficient Asian American children fared better than Hispanic children, but Asian American children with LEP lagged behind their Hispanic counterparts in their approaches to learning, self-control, and interpersonal skills at the beginning of kindergarten. These ethnic differences disappeared by the end of 1st grade. Practice or Policy: Our findings suggest that language-related challenges among minority children may be more consequential for young Asian American children, who would benefit from additional efforts to help them attain proficiency in English.     

新疆哈萨克族大学生哈、汉、英三语语言态度及语言能力调查

通过问卷调查的方式,考察了新疆高校哈萨克族大学生哈、汉、英三语的语言态度及语言能力.结果表明,“民考民”学生和“民考汉”学生的汉语、哈语能力有较大的差距,但对自己本民族语言都有高度的认同感,对汉语持积极认可的态度.对英语的态度是多元的,其中持消极否定态度者居多,英语水平普遍较低.针对学生的语言现状提出了语言教学的建议.     

二语熟练程度与双语句法表征

在研究考察二语熟练程度与双语句法表征的关系中,借鉴国外句法启动的经典实验范式,设计针对不同水平英语学习者的跨语言句法启动实验,结果我们发现,汉英存在不平衡的启动效应：L1-L2的效应大于L2-L1,高水平英语学习者的效应大于低水平,且随着英语熟练程度的提高汉英双语句法表征融合度更高、共享的层面更显著。     

试谈预科双语实验班学生的汉语教学

新疆少数民族“双语”授课实验班本科预科是一个新生事物，明显不同于“民考民”和“民考汉”学生。经过两年的摸索，我们发现了一些汉语教学中出现的问题，我们尝试找出一些对策，来弥补这方面的缺欠。     

Language Proficiency and the Relation to Word-Problem Performance in Emergent Bilingual Students with Mathematics Difficulties

As students enter the upper elementary grades, word problems become a main component of mathematics instruction, increasing in complexity as students advance through the curriculum. For students identified as emergent bilinguals with mathematics difficulty (MD), the linguistic complexity inherent in word problems may serve as a barrier to word-problem proficiency. The current study investigated the potential relation between academic English proficiency and word-problem outcomes for emergent bilinguals with MD. After analyzing data from 241 third-grade students, results indicated students who participated in an evidence-based word-problem intervention outperformed students who did not receive the intervention. Moreover, students’ academic English-language proficiency scores in the domains of reading and writing positively correlated with higher scores on a measure of word-problem solving.     

English Reading Growth in Spanish-Speaking Bilingual Students: Moderating Effect of English Proficiency on Cross-Linguistic Influence

This study examined the extent to which kindergarten Spanish reading affected English reading growth trajectories through fourth grade among nationally representative Spanish-speaking bilingual students (N = 312) in the United States and whether the association varied by students' English oral proficiency. Multilevel growth curve analyses revealed that stronger early Spanish reading was related to greater English reading growth. Within the stronger Spanish reading group, students with lower English oral proficiency initially began behind their counterparts but caught up with and surpassed them later. Within the weaker Spanish reading group, the difference between lower and higher English oral proficiency groups increased over time. Findings suggest that initially well-developed Spanish reading competence plays a greater role in English reading development than English oral proficiency.     

Validating English Language Proficiency Assessment Uses for English Learners: Academic Language Proficiency and Content Assessment Performance

States use standards‐based English language proficiency (ELP) assessments to inform relatively high‐stakes decisions for English learner (EL) students. Results from these assessments are one of the primary criteria used to determine EL students’ level of ELP and readiness for reclassification. The results are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of and funding allocation to district or school programs that serve EL students. In an effort to provide empirical validity evidence for such important uses of ELP assessments, this study focused on examining the constructs of ELP assessments as a fundamental validity issue. Particularly, the study examined the types of language proficiency measured in three sample states’ ELP assessments and the relationship between each type of language proficiency and content assessment performance. The results revealed notable variation in the presence of academic and social language in the three ELP assessments. A series of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses also revealed varied relationships among social language proficiency, academic language proficiency, and content assessment performance. The findings highlight the importance of examining the constructs of ELP assessments for making appropriate interpretations and decisions based on the assessment scores for EL students. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.     

English Language Assistance Needs of Chinese Students

It is known that the IELTS test has not been a good predictor of English capability in academic settings. More information is required. Are students not motivated to keep improving their English; what obstacles do they face? The English language issues facing international students from China at one University are explored through a survey and focus groups. It is observed that a lack of motivation is not the key factor. Rather one core problem is the very difficult demands of acculturation within a short time frame which would enable confidence for the students to continue to engage with other English speaking students. When faced with such immediate and hard to achieve acculturation, many retreat to their language groups. In the academic context, support for the transition to discipline based academic genres is double difficult as the time frame for second language learners is longer, but performance requirements are more immediate. Many first language students also have difficulties in this area, but have the easier language path to mastery. The study draws usefully on a comparison made with students studying English in China.     

语块化的语言输入对大学生英语口语水平的作用

以第二语言习得理论及认知心理学理论为基础,探讨语块化的语言输入对任务型学习框架下大学生英语口语流利性与准确性的作用。通过教学实验对比实验班与对照班被试在英语口语的流利性和准确性两个方面的前、后测差异。实验结果显示：在任务型教学中语块化的语言输入有助于提高学习者英语口语的流利性和准确性。     

英语专业学生口语水平和写作水平的相关性研究

运用定量分析方法,探讨英语口语水平和写作能力之间是否具有相关性。研究结果表明,从总体上看两者呈显性正相关。研究发现。学生口语水平不同,其写作水平也表现出较大的差异。     

英语水平与自我认同建构研究

在语言研究领域,关于语言学习和使用与自我认同的关系的研究,已经引起了不少研究者的注意,并成为语言学习研究的重要组成部分。研究以社会建构主义为理论视觉,采用问卷调查的方法,分析英语教育专业学生在英语教学实习中英语水平对自我认同建构的影响;并探索不同英语水平的研究对象对课堂人际关系的认识的变化及语言情感变化与自我认同之间的关系,为我们更好地提高英语教学质量提供一定的实践依据。     

加强语言表达能力训练,提高学生的语文素养

语文素养的核心是语文能力,包括识字、写字、听、说、读、写六种能力.但是表达能力(说话、作文)是各种能力的综合体现.要提高学生的语言表达能力,第一要在基础上下工夫,第二要加强作文指导.     

英语词汇量与语言各项技能及综合能力之相关研究

通过对我国重点矿业院校非英语专业大学生英语词汇量与语言各项技能水平的相关研究，发现学生四级阶段词汇量平均达到4192个；词汇量与口语、听力、阅读理解、词汇结构、完型填空、写作及四级成绩之间在a=0．01水平下线性关系均显著；不同语言综合能力的学习者，其词汇量状况存在显著差异；不同词汇量的学习者，其语言综合能力也存在显著差异。     

高职学生中英文阅读能力的相关分析

本在实验的基础上研究了中国高职学生中英阅读能力的相关性，并对高职的英语阅读教学提出了一些建议。     

试论汉语言专业学生的创意能力培养

在文化产业和创意经济的大趋势下,汉语言文学专业教育需要寻求和当下市场经济新的契合点,挖掘出文学与文化产业的天然联系。将文学素质的培养融入于文化产业发展的潮流中,注重培养学生以下三种创意素质：1.故事创意的能力;2.深层次的美感;3.民族的价值观,为文化产业发展培养出复合型的文化创意人才。