Term

Fall 2019

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAESL

Facilitator(s)

Jennifer Carlson

Content Expert

Amy Faust Fraser and Angela Froemming

Abstract

It is challenging to meet the linguistic needs of English learners in mainstream classrooms, even for experienced and trained English-language-development teachers, and many mainstream teachers are minimally equipped to address language needs in the context of content instruction. Because English learner success in the mainstream classroom depends upon mastery of content together with proficiency in academic English, mainstream teachers need further professional development, tools, and resources in order to support English learners in their classrooms. This project proposes embedded professional development within a coaching structure focused on implementing academic-language development in mainstream instruction. Research shows that an instructional coaching model conducted as part of an iterative cycle can yield sustainable change. The cycle should include professional development focused on a narrowed topic—in this case, academic-language development—and multiple opportunities for reflective analysis. This project builds upon the English Learner in the Mainstream (ELM) Project from Hamline University, which trains EL teachers to coach mainstream teachers in integrating language development into content instruction. The coaching framework designed for this capstone incorporates a cyclical model of instructional coaching, focused on academic-language development and reflective thinking. The framework includes an overarching structure for the ELM-trained Coach to follow throughout the year, a resource guide to support the ELM Coach in delivering professional development and engaging in coaching conversations, and tools to support the mainstream teacher in implementing academic-language development throughout the coaching process.

Project Type

Professional Development

Keywords

At-risk Students, ESL/ ELLs, Reflective Practice, Coaching

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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