ERIC Number: EJ808704
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-3301
Influences of Teacher-Child Social Interactions on English Language Development in a Head Start Classroom
Piker, Ruth Alfaro; Rex, Lesley A.
Early Childhood Education Journal, v36 n2 p187-193 Oct 2008
Increasing numbers of Spanish-speaking preschool children require attention to improve the likelihood of success in school. This study, part of a larger 2-year ethnographic study of a Head Start classroom, elaborates the role of teachers' interactions with students who were learning English. Using an interactional ethnography approach, the authors focus on the social nature of these interactions. The study illuminates the kinds of teacher interactions with students that support and hinder the students' language learning. It reinforces the importance of student engagement in social interactions with teachers and with English other than codes of obedience and authority. Finally, it recommends actions teachers can take to provide optimal circumstances for English learning interactions for students.
Descriptors: Disadvantaged Youth, Ethnography, Preschool Children, English, Language Acquisition, Early Intervention, Spanish Speaking, Teacher Role, Teacher Student Relationship, Interaction, Classroom Environment, Second Language Learning
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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