Second Language Acquisition and Literacy Development in Kindergarten Students

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting the Literacy Development of Language Learners

Abstract

The number of English language learners (ELLs) has increased significantly in the last twenty years (NCELA 2015). A substantial number of ELLs come from less educated families and low-income backgrounds. These factors influence ELLs’ second language vocabulary acquisition,literacy and academic performance, on standardized tests.In this context, second language vocabulary acquisition and early literacy development for ELs has become an imperative goal for the K-12 education system. The purpose of this investigation is to inform the results of a long-term integrated intervention program, that is based on the application of social constructionist methods of learning vocabulary, for second language acquisition (SLA) and literacy development in California kindergarten students.

Keywords: English language learners (ELLs), second language acquisition (SLA), and kindergarten

Authors

• Linda Ventriglia-Navarrette, University of California - Riverside

• Soojin Park, University of California - Riverside