A good deal of attention has been focused on the need to prepare teachers to work with the increasing number of English language learners (ELLs) in today's classrooms. Many would argue that this preparation should be provided at the preservice level so that new teachers are ready to meet the demands of all learners, but in particular ELLs. However, teacher education programs are challenged to incorporate this kind of preparation into the existing curriculum, which is heavily laden with other core certification requirements. This study explores the impact of a three-credit foundations course for teaching English language learners and its corresponding field experience component of observing ELLs offered as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree program in elementary education. Data was collected from a pre-and post-Language Attitudes of Teachers Scale survey (Byrnes & Kiger, 1994) and from the preservice teachers' classroom observation reports. The findings from this study show an increase in tolerance and knowledge of ELLs and support for them in the schools. The results present a compelling case to integrate these kinds of experiences into existing teacher preparation programs.
In this study, the authors examine the impact of an English as a second language (ESL) professional development offering designed to meet this challenge: the Modular Design for English Language Learners (MODELL) instruction program. The authors were part of a team of faculty that designed and developed this hybrid professional development program to support classroom teachers challenged with assessing and addressing the educational needs of limited English proficient (LEP) students. The authors theorize that observing and describing the trajectory and complexities of the professional development process might offer significant insights for teacher educators regarding ways to prepare teachers for working in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. What was discovered through this study was that the teachers learned a lot about themselves and what they were capable of doing in the classroom; they learned that their peers struggled with similar issues and that out of this camaraderie, a solid support network could be established; and they learned that the multicultural classroom environment could be an asset to teaching and learning.
Research has extolled the potential of transmediation in expanding learners' analytical and critical insight. However, this approach requires teachers prepared to employ this multimodal way of knowing. This study examines the impact of transmediation course experiences on pre-service teachers' comprehension of and critical engagement with multicultural children's literature, particularly in relation to multicultural awareness and social justice; their instructional planning; and their intended practice. Findings suggest presenting and supporting transmediation as a critical literacy approach can have a powerful effect on pre-service teachers' understanding of texts, on their sensitivity to diversity issues, and on their beliefs about teaching and learning.
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