A Quasi-Experimental Study of the use of Structured-Pairing and Technology to Help English Language Learners Achieve at the Same Level As Their English-Speaking Peers

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2021-05-05

Department

Program

Masters of Education

Citation of Original Publication

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Abstract

3AbstractTeachers are facing a major issue within the modern day school; how to successfully help English Language Learners (ELL) adapt to anew culture,acquire or improve English proficiency, and assimilate into the American educational system. This study focused on the strategy of incorporating technology to help ELL students learn with partners to help them understand the difficult vocabulary and concepts of a high school American Government class. Findings indicated unit test performance was inclusive for the group who used technology with a partner versus just having a partner with whom to work. Participants also completed a survey which asked them to rate and describe the helpfulness of learning strategies intended to help them. Their responses suggested that the ELL students felt technology was effective and the structured pairs were less effective at helping them. They indicated more technology would help them more.Future research with larger and varied samples (for example, of different ages or with different language backgrounds) who are enrolled in varied courses might further clarify what methods are most effective for helping ELL students succeed in American schools and curricula.