Hello, Heidi and the rest,

My name is Stephanie Parrish. I am enrolled in Sacramento State University's
MA TESOL program. For my research methods class, I am writing a research
proposal on the effects of native language literacy on adult L2 English
proficiency, including reading proficiency. (English proficiency may be too
broad of a topic. Focusing specifically on reading proficiency might be
better.) My topic is similar to that of Burt and Peyton in "Reading and
Adult English Language Learners: The Role of the First Language" (2003).
Burt and Peyton (and many others who have written on this topic) cite
Robson's study (1982) of Hmong learners of English in a refugee camp in
Thailand and Burtoff's study (1985) of adult Haitian Creole learners of
English in New York. I'm wondering whether any recent studies have been done
on this topic.

I'm aware that researchers extrapolate the findings of similar research done
with children learning to read English, so that will likely be a source
of information. In addition, I probably should broaden the scope of my
literature review to include research on adults with L2s other than English.

I'd appreciate your sharing your knowledge of recent studies done with
adults learning English and any other helpful information you can give.

Thanks!

Stephanie

P.S. Is replying to all the appropriate way to send a question for an online
discussion?
On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 11:17 AM, Wrigley, Heide <heide at literacywork.com>
wrote:


>  Good morning all

>

>

>

> It's 7 am here in Southern New Mexico, it's still nice and cool and the

> roses are blooming big time and I should be going out to water soon (coffee

> first, though)

>

>

>

>

>

> I wanted to welcome you to the discussion on ESL Reading and am hoping

> that we'll have a lively back and forth as you pose questions, challenge

> assumptions, and share your own experience teaching reading to ESL students

> – either teaching these skills explicitly and systematically or just folding

> reading into your regular curriculum.

>

>

>

> I would like to invite you to tell us a sentence or two about yourself and

> your work and your experience before you post your messages.

>

>

>

> Just a bit of background: I'm Heide Spruck Wrigley and my work revolves

> around the intersection of research, policy and practice. I've been involved

> in several studies on ESL literacy (broader than just reading) that we can

> talk about, and this year I'm doing quite a bit of work around workplace

> literacy.  Most of my work has been with language minority adults who are

> relatively new to English but I've also taught in intensive reading programs

> at the university level.

>

>

>

> I've been working with the Texas GREAT Centers (professional development

> centers) for a number of years, and this year we started a series of

> institutes that focus on ESL Reading with a special emphasis on

> comprehension skills. So this discussion is an outgrowth of this work.

>

>

>

> A bit later, I'll write a note about the 2 or 3 things we know for sure

> about reading (of any kind, not just reading in another language so we don't

> have to get caught up in the "reading wars").

>

>

>

> *But in the meantime, I'd like to invite you to jump in and say a bit more

> about who you are  and what issues you are grappling with when it comes to

> helping your ESL students understand what they read.  *

>

> * *

>

> And a special welcome to the Texas teachers who have been involved in the

> institutes. I'm hoping you will share your experience teaching reading and

> tell us what has worked for you.

>

>

>

> All the best

>

>

>

> Heide

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:

> englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] *On Behalf Of *Lynda Terrill

> *Sent:* Monday, May 12, 2008 7:21 AM

> *To:* englishlanguage at nifl.gov

> *Subject:* [EnglishLanguage 2374] Discussion on Reading and Adult

> EnglishLanguage Learners begins

>

>

>

> Dear subscribers,

>

> I am happy to announce that our discussion on reading and adults learning

> English as a second language is beginning.  Heide Wrigley will be

> facilitating this discussion along with Texas practitioners who have been

> working on a project related to reading.  I look forward to hearing what

> they have to share, butI  also look forward to hearing many of your

> experiences, questions, and answers about this important topic.

>

> Lynda Terrill

> lterrill at cal.org

>

>  ------------------------------

>

> Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime

> you're online.<http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------

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