Term

Summer 8-7-2016

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAESL

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Elizabeth Will

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Anne Rogan

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Jenna Varghese

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent different activities within the dramatic play center engage English Learners in order to help increase oral language proficiency scores. Three kindergarten ELs were observed during their time at the dramatic play center and interviewed afterwards by the participant observer of the study to see what activities within the dramatic play center were the most engaging. This research was carried out using a mixed methods approach with an emphasis on the qualitative paradigm. The main findings were: students are more engaged when the dramatic play center is centered on a theme they have been studying and when students have a chance to make props themselves that they can use while at the dramatic play center.

Research Methodology

Action Research, Ethnography

Keywords

ESL/ ELLs, Student Engagement

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Education Commons

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