ERIC Number: ED545784
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 212
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-2674-8718-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Reading to Bidialectal English-Speaking Caribbean American Students
David Rodriguez, Ingrid
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
There is little research on bidialectal teacher preparation for teaching bidialectal English-speaking Caribbean American students. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand teachers' perception of reading difficulties of Caribbean American children in a local district that has a large percentage of these students who demonstrate low reading achievement. Chomsky's language acquisition theory and Vygotsky's social constructivism theory provided frameworks for this study. The research questions were directed at describing how teachers taught bidialectal, English-speaking Caribbean American students to read. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of experienced teachers through interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data were analyzed using a simple word by word, line-by-line coding, incident-by-incident coding, and by discovering patterns and emerging themes through triangulation of data from transcripts, classroom observations, and lesson plans. Results suggested the need for a systematic approach to address reading difficulties associated with bidialectal interference among students at all grade levels. A key recommendation was for teachers to use students' dialect as a foundation to scaffold new literacy skills. A project professional development training guide was constructed for the district using the results of this study. The suggestions in the guide could promote positive social change as teachers at the site develop the skills and understandings to enhance the reading achievement of bidialectal, English-speaking students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Dialects, Language Usage, English, Immigrants, Reading Achievement, Low Achievement, Teaching Methods, Reading Instruction, Interviews, Observation, Documentation, Content Analysis, Coding, Lesson Plans, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Bilingualism, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A