Author

Claire Milne

Term

Summer 2019

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAT

Facilitator(s)

Kelly Killorn-Moravec

Content Expert

Jenny Leroux

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of academic underachievement in school-age Spanish speaking emerging bilingual students - the largest second language speaking group in the USA. Research in the field of heritage language learning has been ongoing since the 1970s. Most research has been concentrated at the elementary school level. This capstone seeks to answer the question of what advantages can be leveraged by offering a Spanish for Heritage Learners class as an elective to Spanish speaking long-term English language learners in middle school. Research is reviewed on themes of long-term English language learners, bilingual literacy, academic self concept and cultural identity. Research identifies two key advantages: an improvement in second language (L2, i.e. English) literacy and increased academic self concept. Information from this research is drawn on to create a platform of five presentations to launch a school district campaign to trial Spanish for Heritage Learners in middle school.

Keywords

At-risk Students, ESL/ ELLs, Literacy, Multicultural Education

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

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Education Commons

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