ERIC Number: EJ1087942
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2331-186X
EISSN: N/A
Experiencing the Needs and Challenges of ELLs: Improving Knowledge and Efficacy of Pre-Service Teachers through the Use of a Language Immersion Simulation
Wright-Maley, Cory; Green, Jennifer D.
Cogent Education, v2 n1 Article 1030176 2015
Pre-service teachers need to understand how to support ELLs in their future classrooms, yet evidence suggests that pre-service ELL training may not be as effective as we need it to be. One promising strategy for increasing pre-service teachers' efficacy and knowledge around teaching ELLs is through a shock-and-show simulation. This strategy incorporates a Swedish-language immersion experience that simulates what it may like to be an ELL and the strategies that can help support these students. There were two phases: a lesson with limited scaffolding (shock) and an extensively scaffolded lesson (show). Our participants included 87 pre-service teachers who filled out pre- and post-surveys, including closed- and open-ended questions. "t"-Tests were used to determine whether differences in the scores from the two surveys were significant. We analyzed qualitative data using an interpretive approach to the development of codes, categories, and themes, which we triangulated with descriptive statistics to describe the frequency of the emergent codes. Our findings suggest that shock-and-show experiences may benefit pre-service teachers' knowledge and efficacy around ELL instruction. We theorize that the emotional component of the experience connected to the cognitive aspects may help foster greater learning among pre-service teachers concerning the difficulties and needs of ELLs.
Descriptors: English Language Learners, Preservice Teachers, Student Needs, Teacher Competencies, Swedish, Immersion Programs, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Pretests Posttests, Student Surveys, Scores, Qualitative Research, Coding, Teaching Methods, Teacher Effectiveness, Emotional Response, Simulation, Empathy
Cogent OA. Available from: Taylor & Francis Group. 284 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RN, UK. Tel: +44-20-7017-6000; e-mail: info@CogentOA.com; Web site: http://cogentoa.tandfonline.com/journal/oaed20
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Connecticut
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A