Investigation of Preservice Bilingual Generalists' Perceptions of Working With English Language Learner Students' Parents

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: Pre- and In-Service Teacher Education for Emerging Bilinguals

Abstract

In order for teachers to work effectively with ELa and their families, they must possess the most current knowledge and skills available to them (Caspe, Lopez, Chu & Weiss, 2011; Pedro, Miller and Bray, 2012). However, most teacher preparation programs in the U. S. do not offer such educational opportunities in their pre-service programs (Hiatt-Michael, 2001). Most existing research focuses on inservice teachers in mainstream classrooms (Flynn & Nolan, 2008; Harris & Goodall, 2008). The purpose of this study was to investigate how a set of experiences that engaged pre-service teachers in working directly with parents facilitated their development of a conceptual understanding about parental involvement and improved their communication skills with parents of ELs.

Author

• Josefina V. Tinajero, The University of Texas - El Paso