COVID-19 Pandemic Learning Losses Among English Language Learners: Effects of Language Proficiencies and Language Modalities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Struggle, Learning, and Transformation in a Pandemic

Abstract

Survey research was conducted to determine the extent to which teachers reported learning losses among English Language Learners during the Covid-19 pandemic. Two factors were examined: language proficiencies (L1 and L2) and language modalities (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Low-L2 students suffered larger losses than high-L2 students regardless of L1 proficiency. Proficiency in L2 was the crucial factor in losses, although L1 proficiency operated as a mitigating factor in speaking skills. Low-L2 students are at additional risk due to Covid-19 and might well be the focus of pandemic-recovery interventions, especially for students also weak in L1. These interventions may also benefit from leveraging ELLs’ L1 skills in initiatives in speaking and perhaps also writing and other initiatives in the language modalities.

Authors

• Bruce Torff, Hofstra University

• Audrey Figueroa Murphy, Saint John's University