Term

Summer 8-14-2015

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAESL

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Michal Moskow

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Anne Rogan

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Abigail Olson

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how adults with a high level of Spanish and English language abilities use the two languages in different contexts and functions and how they perceive their own language use. Key influences included bilingual teachers and former students. The research of Ardila (2005) , Ehala and Niglas (2006) and Coluzzi (2010) informed my guiding questions and research methods. Three women who have high levels of Spanish and English participated in this study through an initial interview and questionnaire, three guided journal entries and a final interview. It was found that all the participants were concerned about the language development of their children and made choices depending on how a conversation, situation or relationship started.

Keywords

ESL/ ELLs, Bilingual Adults

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