Abstract

Literacy proficiency is critical for success both in and out of school; yet adolescent English language learners (ELLs) are not performing at the level of their English-speaking peers. This qualitative study focused on ways in which one successful high-school teacher facilitated literacy events as a way to provide language and literacy support for these students. The findings describe the actions of the teacher, the affordances made by these actions, and how the students took up those affordances. Teacher actions included creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere, following a routine, and participating in sharing activities. Affordances included opportunities for using vocabulary and language structures, developing and expressing ideas, and reflecting on meaning of texts. Student actions included various forms of engagement in the activities and content such as speaking up during sharing activities, showing interest in what other students had to say, and not wanting the activities to end. This study helps to inform educators of the potential of literacy events to support both language and literacy development for adolescent ELLs.

Degree

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Teacher Education

Rights

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