The Needs of Dual Language Learners and Benefits of Providing Early Identification and Early Interventions at the Preschool Level
Author: Erin Keller
Publisher:
Published: 2021
Total Pages: 94
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAbstract: Preschool aged children who come from a non-English speaking household are a unique population of students since they are not only learning English, but they are also still developing proficiency in their home language. Thus, these students are considered dual language learners (DLL). Students who attend English speaking schools that are not proficient in English face many challenges. Research shows the importance of early identification and interventions for DLLs to increase students' English proficiency before entering kindergarten. Using quality assessments to identify DLL students' oral English language proficiency in preschool allow us to provide more individualized language instruction and interventions that can help put these students on track with their native English-speaking peers when they enter kindergarten, as well as keep them on track as they progress through school. The purpose of my Capstone internship project is to construct an assessment timeline for assessing all students who speak a language other than English in the home at the beginning of the school year, and then perform the assessments to identify DLL students at the preschool level using the Pre-IPT Oral English lanugage proficiency. I organized and analyzed the data obtained from the assessment and collaborated with my site leader to determine the next instructional steps that need to be taken to meet our DLL's unique learning needs. I then provided professional development to my colleagues to inform them what the assessment is, how to read the results, and how the results can then drive their instruction to meet the specific needs of our DLL students. I provided training to staff on how to also assess their students that start later in the school year using the Pre-IPT, as this will be an ongoing process after I compete my Capstone internship. I also provided training on refugees and their experiences as a well as Ethiopian culture, which is our largest student population.
