Strategies to Promote Oral Language Success Among English Language Learners

• In Event: 51.025 - EFLs and English Learners: Innovations for Teaching and Learning

Abstract

The San Diego Teaching Artist Program (TAP) showed statistically significantly higher California English Language Development Test (CELDT) oral language test scores for the group receiving arts-based instruction than the control group in an experimental study (Greenfader & Brouillette, 2017). This study aims to examine what strategies the program uses in order increase ELLs’ oral language skills. It uses a qualitative case study approach to analyze drama and dance lesson plans as well as videotaped lessons. The analysis focuses on the lesson strategies, whether these strategies can be considered “best practices,” and whether additional unplanned strategies were employed during the lessons. The findings provide ideas for how teachers can boost the oral language skills of ELLs in their classes.

Authors

• Sara Newkirk, University of California - Irvine

• Liane R. Brouillette, University of California - Irvine

• Elizabeth A. van Es, University of California - Irvine