Literacy practices of Mexican and Ghanaian immigrant women with limited ESL literacy

Butler-Auld, Hannah A

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/107870 Copy

Description

Title

Literacy practices of Mexican and Ghanaian immigrant women with limited ESL literacy

Author(s)

Butler-Auld, Hannah A

Issue Date

2020-04-08

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Sadler, Randall W

Committee Member(s)

Kang, Hyun-Sook

Department of Study

Linguistics

Discipline

Teaching of English Sec Lang

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• limited literacy
• low-literacy
• literacy practices
• English as a second language
• immigrant
• investment model
• New Literacy Studies
• women
• elderly
• sociocultural
• adult learners

Abstract

Scarce ESL literacy research exists on low-literate, immigrant learners over the age of sixty. Research on this underrepresented population is critical for increasing their participation and success in ESL programs. This study describes the literacy practices, perceived needs, expectations, literacy statements, and classroom dynamics of low-literate, immigrant learners over the age of sixty. Data was collected over a seven-week period using interviews, classroom observations, and drawing tasks at a U.S. ESL tutoring center supported by volunteer tutors. Two ESL students from Ghana and México participated. Data was analyzed using Norton’s (2013) investment model. Findings showed that participants desired autonomy; classroom dynamics influenced participants’ perceived needs and negative literacy statements; and English-speaking family members positively influenced participants’ engagement in English literacy practices. From a pedagogical perspective, increasing low-literate, immigrant learners’ active participation in ESL programs requires improved resources for tutor training, relevant content for learners’ needs, and learners to have strong social connections with English speakers outside of the classroom.

Graduation Semester

2020-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/107870

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Hannah A. Butler-Auld

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