ERIC Number: EJ955401
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0959-4752
EISSN: N/A
Improving Second Language Skills of Immigrant Students: A Field Trial Study Evaluating the Effects of a Summer Learning Program
Stanat, Petra; Becker, Michael; Baumert, Jurgen; Ludtke, Oliver; Eckhardt, Andrea G.
Learning and Instruction, v22 n3 p159-170 Jun 2012
Immigrant students' school success is often hampered by limited second language (L2) proficiency, yet the effectiveness of different approaches to L2 support is unclear. Using a summer camp setting, we tested effects of (1) implicit support focusing on meaning of language by engaging students in language-intensive activities without drawing their attention to rules (operationalization: theatre program) and (2) combined implicit and explicit support focusing students' attention on both meaning and form of language (operationalization: theatre program and instruction in German as L2). A baseline group received no support. N = 149 third-graders with German as L2 participated. There was no effect for the implicit condition on L2, yet children in the combined condition performed significantly better in grammar and reading after the treatment than the baseline group. The difference for vocabulary did not reach significance. Three months later, a significant effect for the combined condition was only found for reading. (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Curriculum Development, Second Language Learning, Summer Programs, Language Skills, German, Immigrants, Program Effectiveness, Academic Achievement, Language Proficiency, Semantics, Grammar, Second Language Instruction, Grade 3, Elementary School Students, Vocabulary Development, Reading Skills
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A