ERIC Number: EJ1137899
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Apr
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1539-0578
EISSN: N/A
Discipline-Specific Reading Expectation and Challenges for ESL Learners in US Universities
Hartshorn, K. James; Evans, Norman W.; Egbert, Jesse; Johnson, Amy
Reading in a Foreign Language, v29 n1 p36-60 Apr 2017
English-medium institutions of higher education host increasing numbers of English-as-a second-language (ESL) learners in the US. English language skill is vital to their progress. Previous research examined reading challenges and expectations faculty have for their first-year students within five popular majors for international students including Biology, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, and Psychology. Analyses revealed differences across majors and identified the reading expectations and challenges these first-year learners face. Building on the research, this study examines the reading expectations of faculty for their upper-division students nearing graduation. In addition to comparing the reading expectations and challenges within the same five majors, we compared professor perceptions across the baccalaureate experience. We present these findings along with observations of participating faculty across the five majors regarding the linguistic preparation of their students for professional work or graduate study within the discipline. The implications and applications of these findings are discussed.
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Foreign Students, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Graduate Study, Language of Instruction, Reading Difficulties, Biology, Engineering Education, Psychology, Computer Science Education, Language Skills, Majors (Students), Short Term Memory, Prior Learning, Reading Strategies, Statistical Analysis
Reading in a Foreign Language. National Foreign Language Resource Center, 1859 East-West Road #106, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822. e-mail: readfl@hawaii.edu; Web site: http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/rfl/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A