少儿英语教学与语言习得

语言学习和语言习得在学习效果上存在一定的差异.在少儿英语教学中发展儿童语言运用能力的关键在于教师应结合儿童认知能力的发展,从语言信息输入定位、输入输出定位、教学顺序定位、情感因素过滤方面来创设语言习得环境.     

少儿英语教育存在的问题及其对策

本文论述了少儿英语教育发展的现状,从师资条件、教学方法、学生状况、教学条件和教学环境方面分析了存在的问题及解决对策。     

Using Music to Support the Literacy Development of Young English Language Learners

Integrating experiences with music in the early childhood classroom supports English language learners’ literacy development (Peregoy and Boyle, Reading, writing, and learning in ESL. Pearson, Boston, 2008; Saricoban and Metin, Songs, verse and games for teaching grammar. Internet TESL J, 2000). This article describes the benefits of incorporating musical experiences into daily instruction and provides practical activities for classroom implementation, e.g., reading, writing, and singing songs for language skill development, reading fluency, and writing progress. Despite a teacher’s level of aesthetic appreciation and musical training, the value of fostering creativity and enhancing literacy instruction through music is vital in today’s diverse early childhood classrooms. Music can transform classrooms into positive learning environments where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Providing children with structured and open-ended musical activities, creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, and sharing the joy of creativity with each other all are foundational to bases for the growth and development of the early childhood learner.     

Spanish-Language Learners and Latinos: Two Community-Based Projects

The growing U.S. Latino dispersal is allowing for more interactions between students of Spanish and native Spanish speakers. By working with Latino community members, Spanish instructors help meet the standards for foreign language education developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. This article describes 2 projects. In the first, students of Spanish and Latinos come together. Students tutor adult Latinos in ESL, math, and GED and citizenship preparation courses, whereas Latinos help students develop their conversational skills. In the second project, students visit local Latino businesses to make cultural comparisons and learn how Latinos enrich the community.     

谈谈少儿英语教材的改进——一些基于调查的思考

本首先概述了对扬州和泰州地区六所小学英语教材使用情况进行的定性和定量调查。调查结果显示，这些教材在内容安排、语言表达、习题设计、教师用书的配备和装订印刷质量等方面均有明显差异。本旨在根据上述调查，有点及面，分析我国少儿英语教材目前所存在的问题，探讨其应具有的特色和我们可能采取的措施。     

试谈少儿外语活动型教学法

小学阶段是儿童可塑性最强的时期。这时他们不仅活泼好动，爱听爱说，而且善于模仿，但他们的注意力持续时间短。因此教师应从学生的心理和生理特点出发，在教学中注意调节情感，激发兴趣，强化动机；既注重少儿外语能力的培训，又注意他们化思想的建构，以活动型教学为主要途径，以学生为主体，让他们在轻松愉快的教学气氛中体验学习的乐趣，巩固所学的知识。     

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.     

大学英语教学与网络若干问题及对策探析

伴随科学技术的进步,网络已经导人大学英语教学实践中。然而,如何使这一科学技术的宠儿在大学英语教学中发挥作用,必须突出强调资源的优化与效率原则,突出教师“导”的作用。同时,网络与信息技术的发展对教师的综合素质提出了更高的要求,唯有如此,大学英语教学才能同网络实现有机的结合。     

Long-Term Follow-Up of Spanish and English Interventions for First-Grade English Language Learners at Risk for Reading Problems

Abstract

We provide data 3 to 4 years postintervention for four samples of English language learners from two sequential Grade 1 cohorts who received supplemental Grade 1 reading interventions in Spanish or English and for whom the language of instruction for intervention was matched with language of core reading instruction. Participants were 300 students at risk for reading difficulties who were randomly assigned to intervention or comparison groups; there were 186 students from the four samples assessed in both languages (Spanish, English) 3 or 4 years after intervention completion (Spring Grade 4 or 5). Findings from the Spanish study revealed few statistically significant differences in favor of intervention students on Spanish measures, although effect sizes generally favored this group (median d = +0.33). Findings from the English study also revealed few statistically significant differences in favor of intervention students, though again, effect sizes were positive (median d = +0.23). Transfer effects were generally small, though nearly all were positive. Although the effects were small, receipt of intervention in Grade 1 was associated with clinically significant gains in a variety of literacy-related domains 3 to 4 years after the termination of supplemental instruction.     

善学者与不善学者的词汇学习策略

本文通过文献法和问卷法分别对普通高校本科以上学生和高职学生的词汇学习策略进行了研究和对比分析。对前者的研究结果表明,在词汇学习策略上,善学者和不善学者存在着较大的差异：善学者比不善学者使用更多的词汇学习策略：他们更多地使用上下文策略、猜词策略和社会情感策略;他们善于计划、组织和管理自己的词汇学习。而对后者的研究表明,该类院校中善学者与不善学者的词汇学习观点和策略使用的差异较小,但与前者善学者和不善学者的差异较大。     

Achievement and Growth on English Language Proficiency and Content Assessments for English Learners in Elementary Grades

English language proficiency (ELP) assessment scores are used by states to make high-stakes decisions related to linguistic support in instruction and assessment for English learner (EL) students and for EL student reclassification. Changes to both academic content standards and ELP academic standards within the last decade have resulted in increased academic rigor and language demands. In this study, we explored the association between EL student performance over time on content (English language arts and mathematics) and ELP assessments, generally finding evidence of positive associations. Modeling the simultaneous association between changes over time in both content and ELP assessment performance contributes empirical evidence about the role of language in ELA and mathematics development and provides contextual information to serve as validity evidence for score inferences for EL students.     

Effective Writing Assessment and Instruction for Young English Language Learners

The total number of English Language Learners in the American public schools is more than 4.5 million students or 9.6% of the total school population. This article focuses on instructional writing strategies and assessments for English Language Learners in the elementary classroom. This article provides early childhood education teachers with information about differences amongst English Language Learners because they are not a homogenous group. English Language Learners’ academic abilities can range from emergent readers, writers, and speakers of English to proficient readers, writers, and speakers of English.     

Secondary Teachers and English Language Learners (ELLs): Attitudes,Preparation and Implications

The education of language-minority students is a constitutional right. Throughout this article, the authors synthesize recent literature addressing two main questions: (1) What are secondary teachers’ attitudes toward English language learners (ELLs)? and (2) To what extent are secondary teachers being prepared to teach content effectively to this student population? Secondary teachers’ attitudes about ELLs vary, but are generally positive. The lack of teacher preparation—especially at the secondary level—to teach ELLs effectively is widespread. Thus, it is not surprising that secondary teachers feel ill-prepared to scaffold or differentiate instruction to meet these students’ language and academic needs. Since attitudes, preparation, and practice are interrelated, the authors also provide numerous implications for future practice at various levels: teacher-preparation programs, school district support, and classroom teaching.     

Training for content teachers of English Language Learners: using experiential learning to improve instruction*

Abstract

Experiential learning theory places experience at the center of learning. Kolb’s four-stage cycle of experiential learning suggests that effective learners must engage fully in each stage of the cycle – feeling, reflection, thinking, and action. This research assesses the alignment of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle with the week-long Summer Institute of Assisting, Collaborating, and Training ESL Secondary Content Teachers (ACT-ESL), the first stage of a professional development model designed to train content teachers of English Language Learners (ELLs). Qualitative and quantitative data analysis from pre- and post-surveys determined positive changes in participants’ understanding of key ELL concepts, knowledge, and understanding of instructional strategies and practices. Analysis indicated that the Summer Institute had a large effect (d > 2.00 for each scale), regardless of previous training in ELL instructional strategies. Findings show that the Summer Institute incorporated the cycle of learning and tenets of Kolb’s experiential learning theory and evidenced teacher learning.     

Culturally Appropriate Context: Unlocking the Potential of Response to Intervention for English Language Learners

The number of young children whose home language is not English continues to increase every year in the United States. Challenges for English language learners (ELL) involve low academic achievement related to low expectations and inappropriate instruction, and inappropriate assessment instruments or procedures resulting in overrepresentation of ELL students in higher incidence disabilities. In addition, the lack of effective instructional strategies for teaching ELL students often lead to behavioral problems and poor social interaction skills. The purpose of this article is to examine the learning context of young ELLs relative to culturally and linguistically responsive intervention. Components and potentials of response to intervention model were investigated. Essential factors involved in culturally and linguistically responsive intervention were identified. Finally, challenges in preparing culturally appropriate context were discussed.     

Pairing Fiction and Nonfiction Texts to Promote Literacy and Language Development of Adolescent English Learners

Abstract

Based on the relevant research that highlights the impact of pairing fiction and nonfiction texts around a specific theme or a topic for enhanced motivation and reading comprehension for English learners (ELs), this article describes ways to combine texts of various genres to promote ELs’ language and literacy development. A middle school example of a lesson on chocolate exemplifies how pairing a number of fiction and nonfiction texts supports differentiation and multiple opportunities for writing.     

Performance of English Language Learners as a Subgroup in Large-Scale Assessment: Interaction of Research and Policy

Factors that contribute to the performance gap between subgroups and mainstream students deserve special attention. Different subgroups are faced with different sets of challenges. To understand and control for factors leading to the performance gap between subgroups and mainstream students one must clearly understand the issues specific to each subgroup. This paper focuses on assessment and performance issues for English language learner (ELL) students as a subgroup. Identifying factors affecting the performance gap between ELL and non-ELL students may help gain insight into assessment issues for other subgroups of students as well as strengthen assessment of this group.     

文化负迁移对大学英语学习者的影响及教学对策

本研究从分析文化负迁移现象入手,阐述了它的定义、类别、表现形式、产生的原因及其给大学英语学习者带来的影响,提出了文化负迁移现象是跨文化交际中最大障碍之一及其教学对策：并得出结论：大学英语教学必须是语言教学与文化教学的辨证统一。     

语用学与英语教学

语用学近年来越来越受到英语教学工作者的重视。越来越多的人开始采用旨在提高学生交际能力的语用教学，语用学对英语教师、英语学习者及其交际能力都起着十分重要的作用，语用学对解决一些在英语教学中长期存在的难题有着参考性的作用。     

澳洲ESL课堂教学的特点及对我国英语教学的启示

澳洲ESL课堂教学以交际为手段,以学生的兴趣和需要为宗旨,呈现出一体化、时事化、人文化特征。全文在具体评介这些特征的同时,针对性地分析了我国英语教学中存在的不足,以期改进之。