LEvidence - First Language - Second Language

I was interested to know how learners in my inquiry group rate their understanding and ability in their first language compared to their understanding and ability in English as their second language. I asked them to rate their understanding, speaking, reading, and writing on specific samples given both on their first and second languages. The following show their responses.

First Language (L1)

The five learners indicate that they understand day to day talk with family and friends, they understand radio and TV talk and speaking easily, they understand most adult conversation and talk, and they have full understanding almost always, no matter what the context is.

With speaking, all can speak with friends and family and are fully fluent in any situation.

With reading, all can read and understand almost anything.

With writing, all have learned to write quite well and feel quite comfortable writing bits and pieces, and they can write really well probably as well if not better than English.

English as Second Language (L2)

They rate their understanding of English language to vary from understanding a minimal of a few words to day to day talk with friends and families.

With speaking, all state that they can speak with friends and family.

With reading, two main responses - can't read much more than a few words and can read and understand easy reading.

With writing, all say that they can write a bit - they write like they speak, and two state that they have learned how to write quite well and feel comfortable writing bits and pieces. 

Overall, it is obvious that these ELLs have full understanding of their first language, quite fluent speakers of L1, and can read and write well in L1. In contrast to their L2, they have limited understanding with limited ability in speaking, reading, and writing.

Literature says a lot about the impact of using L1 to learn L2, so it is worthwhile investigating how to use this as a strategy in teaching L2 to these learners. 

  

LEvidence - Beliefs and Attitudes to Reading

The questionnaire given to my inquiry group aimed at finding their attitudes about reading and factors relating to reading - such as their attitudes to school, books, how they rate themselves as readers and what they'd rather do after school than reading. 

SELF-BELIEF ABOUT THEIR READING 

How good a reader do you feel yourself to be?

Two learners clearly state that they are not good at reading, 1 sometime good (may be at decoding but not understand; and the answers of the other 2 are not clear.

ATTITUDE TO READING AT SCHOOL

How do you feel when your teacher reads a story to the class?

All learners feel happy, excited, and understand better when the teacher read to or with them.

How do you feel when it is your turn to read out loud to the teacher?

All learners are emotional (scared or shy) when asked to read loud to the teacher or among other students.

How do you feel when you come to a new word while reading?

Two (boys) look at it as an opportunity to learn, three (girls) are worried and shy for being laughed at.

How do you feel when you have to spell a new word that you don’t know how to spell yet?

Two (boys) feel positive about using that as an opportunity to learn, three (girls) are worried and embarrassed when students and teacher know they can't spell a word.

How do you feel about writing a story for the teacher?

Four feel good and excited because they want to know how good they are in writing, 1 still feels scared and worried but happy when writing is done.

How do you think your teacher feels when you read?

All feel good and positive because knows I don’t really know how to read, teacher really wants to know the levels I’m reading at, teacher wants to know how I’m reading in order to help me.

ATTITUDE TOWARD GOING TO SCHOOL

How do you feel about going to school?

All feel good and happy about going to school to learn English and when their favorite subjects are on that day, and two say that sometimes they are not happy coming to school.

How do you feel about getting a book for a present?

Four are really happy and excited to receive a book as a present but one doesn't really like it.

ATTITUDE TO READING AFTER SCHOOL

Would you rather watch television or read?

Two rather watch TV, 2 rather read a book, and 1 reads a book and watch TV.

Would you rather play with your friends or read?

Four rather play with their friends than read, and 1 rather reads a book.

Would you rather clean your room or read?

Four clean the room then read, 1 rather cleans the room.

How often do you read at home by yourself?

Their answers vary - from once or twice a day or week, always but once find new words not understand then give up, feel good but want someone to help.

How long do you read for at home after school is out and before you get to bed?

Answers very from 5 minutes, 15 - 20 minutes, sometimes half an hour if understand what's read, and after doing HW.

When do you do most of your reading at home?

Two before going to sleep, 1 when Chromebook dies or charged, and 2 with not clear answers.

How much time do you spend watching TV each day?

One doesn't watch TV, 1 for 15 minutes on Friday & Saturday when school finishes, 1 12 minutes a day, 1 for 30 minutes, and a about an hour.

ATTITUDE TO BOOKS (REFLECTING ATTITUDE TO READING)

,

Do you have books at home?

Two have no books, three very few - from 1 to 5 books.

Can you remember the name of a book you read recently?

Four remember and give names of books recently read, 1 read a book but forgot the name.

ATTITUDE TO READING

Do you like to read?

Four say sometimes, and 1 says yes.

Do you like reading stories?

Three say yes, 1 sometimes, and 1 not sure.