ERIC Number: EJ929409
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 36
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 98
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1523-5882
Teachers' Characteristics and Attitudinal Beliefs about Linguistic and Cultural Diversity
Flores, Belinda Bustos; Smith, Howard L.
Bilingual Research Journal, v31 n1-2 p323-358 2008
The K-12 population has increased dramatically over the past 20 years with regard to cultural and linguistic diversity, thereby creating a critical need to prepare teachers for this diversity. This study conducted an analysis of teacher characteristics vis-a-vis their attitudinal beliefs about language-minority students. Using multivariate analysis, teachers' attitudinal beliefs about ELLs in academic settings were compared to teachers' ethnicity, linguistic proficiencies, number of minority students in class, and the amount of diversity preparation. Data for this study were gathered on 564 teachers using a 34-item survey. Findings suggest that attitudes are influenced by multiple factors to varying degrees, and all teachers regardless of ethnicity need to have exposure to diversity issues. Finally, findings suggest that the amount of diversity preparation, purposeful experiences with ELLs, and some degree of bilingualism may result in more positive attitudinal beliefs about language-minority students. (Contains 1 endnote and 8 tables.)
Descriptors: Ethnicity, Teacher Characteristics, Elementary Secondary Education, Bilingualism, Student Diversity, Cultural Pluralism, Multivariate Analysis, Minority Groups, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Teacher Attitudes, Language Proficiency, Surveys, Teacher Education
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A

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