Language Through Music: Bridging the Opportunity Gap in the American English Language Development Classroom

• In Event: Opportunity, Equity, and Inclusive Learning Environments

Abstract

Long-Term English Language Learners in California are often required to take a “double block” of ELA and ELD until they reclassify. With no room in their schedules to access arts electives, LTELs are faced with an opportunity gap that further marginalizes them from their English-dominant peers. This mixed methods study explored the academic outcomes and experiences of 17 6th-grade LTELs who were placed in a middle school choir with ELD standards embedded in lieu of their ELD course for one semester. Findings suggest that students and their parents enjoyed the opportunity to take an arts course, and that there was a significant main effect of the treatment on their English proficiency, in comparison with the control group.

Authors

• Benita L Scheckel, Pasadena Unified School District

• Stacy Kula, Azusa Pacific University