Previous research suggests that the intensity of student engagement in the learning process is a consistent predictor of language achievement (Gardner, 2010; Masgoret & Gardner, 2003). Research from educational psychology indicates that learners are more engaged in learning when their teachers' autonomy-supportive motivating practice supports…

As the United States becomes ever more pluralistic and globalization makes the world more closely connected, it has never been more necessary to build an educational system that helps students grow into competent world citizens who can communicate effectively in languages other than English. Despite the growth of foreign language education in the…

The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) compiled and synthesized information to assist in building a well-rounded English Language program. The SLR used 190 articles to articulate the importance of creating a positive learning environment while teaching differentiated lessons. The collaboration between the mainstream teacher and the ELL specialist…

While community colleges have traditionally been the leading providers of adult learner programs and the entry point for many minority students into higher education, very few English language learners (ELLs) transition to higher education. This qualitative gap analysis of the systems in place at a large urban public community college in the…

The purpose of this evaluation was to investigate the factors that contribute to students' recruitment and retention in the Arabic program at my college. The two questions guiding this evaluation were: (1) what factors influence students to join the Arabic program at my college and (2) what factors influence students to continue to enroll in…

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) have been undergoing a quantum leap in foreign language training applications. Department of Defense (DoD) military and civilian linguists have traditionally been reluctant to speak the target language in Defense Language Institute (DLI) and National Cryptologic School (NCS) language enhancement classes. This…

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) have been undergoing a quantum leap in foreign language training applications. Department of Defense (DoD) military and civilian linguists have traditionally been reluctant to speak the target language in Defense Language Institute (DLI) and National Cryptologic School (NCS) language enhancement classes. This…

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) have been undergoing a quantum leap in foreign language training applications. Department of Defense (DoD) military and civilian linguists have traditionally been reluctant to speak the target language in Defense Language Institute (DLI) and National Cryptologic School (NCS) language enhancement classes. This…

This qualitative study of a U.S. postsecondary institution's Japanese language program sought to comprehend in detail the ways by which university students develop and experience Japanese language and literacy. Utilizing the lens of Sociocultural Theory, three contexts within the single case study were examined in the form of three…

This dissertation employs a multiple case study approach to explore the views and expectations of Latino-Hispanic parents of ELLs regarding their children's school English language acquisition programs (ELAP). The central research question investigates the perceived effectiveness of these programs and their alignment with parents' aspirations for…

This study sought to evaluate an English language acquisition program at a public, urban high school in Connecticut. To that end, qualitative and quantitative data was compiled and analyzed. Qualitative data was mined to determine teacher perceptions about the program and levels of supports and interventions provided to those students identified…

Internationalization at institutions of higher education in the United States results in greater linguistic diversity of the student body. Admission policies for international students include English proficiency standards which are meant to ensure that multilingual students for whom English is an additional language can function linguistically in…

Despite the growing societal demand for multilingual graduates prepared to engage in local and global contexts, programs to meet these demands are scarce, especially in K-8 contexts. When schools do seek to implement programs, stakeholders struggle to choose from the established models because research documenting desired outcomes is lacking.…

Despite their permeation in standard French, language variations, such as "argot" and "verlan" are seldom included in the curriculum of French university language programs in the U.S. Variations are often perceived negatively, leading to stigmatization towards the social groups who use them (Bourdieu 1982; Devereaux and Palmer,…

The purpose of this study was to research the specifics of the role of community college English as a Second Language (ESL) academic department chair (ADC) through the perceptions of the deans, the ADCs, and the departmental faculty in two large suburban community colleges in the northeastern United States. A mixed methodology was used and…