The Classroom Peer Networks of Adolescent English Learner–Classified Students: Influences on Engagement and Learning

• In Event: 66.058 - Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 66.058-6 - Language Learning in Peer, Community, and Cultural Networks

Abstract

We explore the impact of various types of peer relationships on the engagement and learning of adolescent English learners (ELs) and their classmates, using survey data from 24 middle school classrooms. Drawing from theories “bonding” and “bridging” social capital (Putnam, 2000), we use social network analysis to precisely operationalize whether and how classroom peer networks influence growth in students’ classroom engagement and learning. Specifically, we explore the hypothesis that academic and social connections to classmates will promote greater classroom engagement and learning for all students but especially ELs, with unique benefits for: 1) overall connectedness, 2) “bonding” relationships among students of the same language status (EL/EL or non-EL/non-EL), and 3) “bridging” relationships among students of different language status (EL/non-EL).

Authors

• Lauren Elreda, University of Virginia

• Amanda Kibler, University of Virginia

• Haley E Johnson, University of Virginia

• Fares Karam, University of Nevada - Reno