Attitudes Toward English Learners in the Context of Content-Area Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: Insights From Research on Equity Issues in Second-Language Teaching and Teacher Education

Abstract

Attitudes about how to work with English Learners (ELs) in the content areas can be related to student outcomes. In this paper, we expand upon previous quantitative work and discuss the results of a mixed-methods study analyzing pre and in-service teachers’ attitudes towards teaching ELs in the content areas via a survey instrument. Fifty participants, enrolled in a Southwestern university, completed the survey. Quantitative results indicated participants’ exposure to EL courses and attitudes towards linguistic diversity were significant predictors of teacher attitudes towards teaching ELs in the content areas. Qualitative analysis revealed participant characteristic patterns corroborating with quantitative findings in addition to emerging themes.

Authors

• Margarita Huerta, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Tiberio Garza, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Manognya Murukutla, Touro University - Nevada

• Xin Zhang, The University of Nevada Las Vegas