ERIC Number: ED668522
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 121
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5381-5547-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Building Community among International Students through Purposeful Selection of Fictional Literature
Michael Robert
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of South Carolina
Purposefully selecting text is a longstanding challenge for teachers of multinational, adult learners enrolled at language schools. International students come from diverse cultural backgrounds, have been educated in different academic systems, are of different ages, and have separate interests; therefore, it is difficult for teachers to effectively select text to meet this disparate student group's needs. The purpose of this action research investigation was to identify an effective strategy to select reading material that fosters student engagement through a shared reading interest. This action research investigation used exploratory qualitative methods in a constructivist grounded theory approach. I conducted semi-structured interviews using a modified Delphi method protocol. Four English language teachers participated in a series of interviews to develop a model that aligns fictional literature with an ESL curriculum. I uncovered the literature characteristics multinational students' teachers identify as important when selecting texts for adult English language learners: (a) ESL level, (b) the curriculum, (c) using modern, American English, (d) acculturation, (e) cultural sensitivity, and (f) student interest. I explored these characteristics regarding student learning and fostering community and discovered acculturation played a crucial role in connecting multinational sojourning students to texts. Upon identifying acculturation as a key result, I proposed how it could be used as a framework for several school initiatives. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Reading Material Selection, Fiction, Foreign Students, Language Teachers, English (Second Language), Teacher Attitudes, Alignment (Education), Curriculum, Learner Engagement, Reading Interests, Student Interests, Adult Learning, Cultural Awareness, Acculturation, North American English, Language Usage, Adult Students
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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