Term

Fall 2023

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MA-TESOL

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Patty Born Selly

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Kaitlin Beltre

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Kari Rise

Abstract

This thesis, seeks to answer the research questions: what are the instructor-perceived benefits of translanguaging in the adult second language acquisition classroom for students who have not had any prior English language experience when learning English as a second language? Additionally, is there an instructor-perceived increase in output and comprehension with adult learners when translanguaging is actively used, and how is it being used? Topics explored during the literature review process included translanguaging, perceived benefits and challenges of translanguaging in the classroom, age-related factors for language acquisition, and non-age-related factors regarding language learning. Six English language instructors of adult non-degree-seeking students participated in the data collection process. A qualitative research method was used to collect and analyze the data. The qualitative research tools that were employed for the data collection were surveys and interviews. Data revealed that while all participants had a varying level of understanding of translanguaging they were all in favor of its use in the classroom environment. Interviews provided additional insights into the perceived benefits and challenges that the participants have encountered and how translanguaging is encouraged and used in their classrooms. The final analysis suggests that translanguaging is an effective tool for use with adult non-degree-seeking learners. Study limitations, implications, and recommendations for future studies are also addressed.

Research Methodology

Interview, Survey (attitude scale, opinion, questionnaire)

Keywords

Adult Education, ESL/ ELLs, Multicultural Education, Teachers/ Teaching

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

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