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Teacher practices in the acquisition of English among Asian immigrant English language learners
Mustafa, C.M1, Radzi, M.N.M2, Masnan, A.H3, Bacotang, J4, Isa, M.Z5, Osman, Z6, Alias, A7.
Purpose – The increase in the enrolments of immigrant children
in New Zealand seems to have posed great challenges to early
childhood education services when it comes to developing the
children’s English language acquisition. This qualitative case study
explored how New Zealand early childhood teachers develop the
English language acquisition of Asian immigrant English language
learners (ELLs). The theoretical framework of this research drew
on a range of sociocultural perspectives, including sociocultural
adaptation and acculturation strategies.
Methodology – The main participants of this study were seven
early childhood teachers and six Asian immigrant ELLs from two
early childhood centres. Data on the teachers were collected through
observations and semi-structured interviews. For each centre,
observations were carried out over a six week period which enabled a series of snapshots of how the teachers developed the English
language acquisition of the ELLs.
Findings – Making interactions comprehensible for the ELLs is
one of the main strategies used by the teachers in developing the
acquisition of English language by the ELLs. In the process of
teaching the English language to the ELLs, most of the teachers
were observed to use certain strategies in making interactions
comprehensible for them. The teachers highlighted the strategies
and modifications they made in order to make their interactions
comprehensible for the ELLs. During the interview, it was clearly
seen that with better proficiency in the English language, the
communication between the ELLs and their teachers improved.
Therefore, the sociocultural adaptation process takes place in a
smooth manner for both the ELLs and the teachers.
Significance-The central significance of the finding is that through
the exploration of New Zealand early childhood teachers’ beliefs
and practices, important insights are offered which lead to the
improvement of educational practices in early childhood settings
for immigrant children in relation to English acquisition. While
some of the teachers’ beliefs and practices may have facilitative or
positive effects on English acquisition, others may bring debilitative
or harmful effects.
The findings also add to the existing body of knowledge on teachers’
beliefs and practices in developing English acquisition among
the ELLs, particularly Asian children. In the New Zealand early
childhood education context, the study provides a platform on how
early childhood teachers in New Zealand could develop English
acquisition among Asian immigrant ELLs, while valuing and
understanding children’s cultural backgrounds.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
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Indexation |
Indexed by |
MyJurnal (2021) |
H-Index
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3 |
Immediacy Index
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0.000 |
Rank |
0 |
Indexed by |
Scopus 2020 |
Impact Factor
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CiteScore (2) |
Rank |
Q1 (Cultural Studies) Q2 (Education) Q3¬¬¬ (Psychology (all)) |
Additional Information |
SJR (0.385) |
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