Toward Understanding Adult Immigrant Students' Histories of Learning: Using Strategies of Language, Literacy, and Culture in U.S. Contexts

• In Event: 14.046 - Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: 14.046-2 - Local Contexts of Teaching and Learning

Abstract

In this paper, we explore gaps in the research literature for adult immigrants (borrowing Valdes’ term) by sharing the results of a pilot study that draws on interviews with adult students who participate in a literacy program where we serve as director and tutor respectively. Our goals with this study were to understand students’ educational histories, learning strategies they describe while navigating between first and second languages in settings of home, work and community, and the role of family support as they expand language and learning activities. In addition to participant interviews, we drew on instructional artifacts and field notes from classroom observations.

Authors

• Carolyn A. Colvin, University of Iowa

• Rachael Kahan, University of Iowa