Technology use for increasing English vocabulary in language learners

¶ … Technology to Increase English Vocabulary in English Language Learner Students

Over the last several years, the total number of English language learners has been increasing dramatically. Part of the reason for this, is because immigration and demand for foreign-based workers have been causing these numbers to rise. Evidence of this can be seen in a study that was conducted by the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition. They found that 46% of the adults enrolled in federally funded continuing education programs were considered to be English language learners. (Moore, 2009, pp. 1 -- 4) This is significant, because it is showing how this is becoming a major issue that a wide variety of educators and institutions of higher learning are dealing with. As a result, many of these programs have begun to use technology to improve the amounts of learning comprehension. To fully understand how this is taking place requires conducting a literature review of various forms of technology that are being utilized. Once this occurs, it will offer the greatest insights as to how this can help to improve the underlying levels of learning comprehension in these students.

Literature Review

The article that was written by Zimmerman (2009), the author discusses how in North Carolina various schools have been using technology to reach out to English language learners. As, the author found that this was a common tool utilized to: help improve the overall amounts of understanding in a variety of areas. The most notable include: instructional strategies, learning comprehension in the classroom and the way educators are able to effectively interact with students. This was accomplished by surveying 438 thousand educators who are teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade. However, researchers found that despite the abundance of these tools, a number of schools have limited amounts of resources in reaching out to these individuals. At which point, the ability of the educator becomes limited. This is because there are only have so many resources available, in working with this demographic of the population. (Zimmerman, 2009, pp. 3356 -- 3362)

In the article that was written by Freeman (2008), she found that a problem for many English language learners in the K. through 12 grade range was mathematics. As, many of them were falling behind traditional students in: various placement and achievement tests. To address these issues, researchers instituted a new program called: Help with the English Language Proficiency in Math. This is a web-based solution that allows these students to learn the traditional concepts they are having problems with through: the use of various technology applications. The results were that this program allowed educators to: design a curriculum that is based on certain cultural and language aspects that were unique to each student. At which point, these ideas were presented to the individual in a format they were able to understand. This was then augmented, with various mathematical concepts and the English language equivalent of the word. Over a series of different sessions, researchers found that these individuals were able to learn more about mathematics in comparison with traditional students. This is the point that English language learners were able to outperform traditional students on host of standardized tests. (Freeman, 2008, pp. 9 -- 19)

Moreover, Rodriguez (2008) found that use of computers can improve the overall amounts of learning comprehension in English language learners. What she determined, was that when this kind of technology is utilized a part of the curriculum in working with these individuals. Their overall amounts of understanding of various English-based concepts increased exponentially. This is because they conducted a study looking at how first grades students, who are learning English as a second language, responded to these different elements. What the author found, was that when this was used in conjunction with traditional tools. The overall amounts of learning comprehension increased in a number of different areas. The most notable include: their understanding of picture vocabulary, use of the language and reading comprehension. At which point, these students were able to learn just as quickly as their peers (who were speaking English as their primary language). (Rodriguez, 2008, pp. 2423 -- 2426)

In the article that was written by Schmid (2008), the author discusses the impact of using technology to improve the English language learner's ability to comprehend the various ideas that they are taught inside the classroom. This was accomplished through looking at a study that was conducted by the Lancaster University. They examined a number of different aspects that were a part of the research project itself to include: the use of white boards, various Internet based applications, specific programs that were designed to teach the individual in their own language and having instructors work one on one the student. The results were that when this kind of approach was utilized, there were significant benefits that were realized from using these kinds of teaching methods to reach out to these students. While at the same time, there were some drawbacks with this kind of approach. The most notable was that educators were often over relying on technology to teach these individuals. The reason why, is because they felt that this was the best way of being able to improve learning comprehension. At which point, many instructors will reduce the amounts of follow up time, to ensure that the student understands what they are being taught. This is when the ideas can become lost with some individuals, due to the fact that one on one instruction is not taking place. As a result, technology must be used in conjunction with this method to improve the individual's understanding of the material. Once this occurs, they can be able to comprehend the different concepts that are being presented. (Schmid, 2008, pp. 1553 -- 1568)

In the article that was written by Black (2009), it discusses how the use of technology for teaching English language learners can help to improve the student's ability to be able to understand a wide variety of concepts. The reason why, is because Internet applications and the programs that are being utilized, are helping them to learn to incorporate their native language skills with English. At the same time, a variety of solutions allow students to learn using what is known as collaborative association. This is when they can work with other individuals from similar backgrounds through: the Internet and various applications. Once this takes place, it means that their overall amounts of learning comprehension will begin to increase dramatically. While at the same time, the individual is learning how to use technology to more effectively understand the world around them. This is the point that these students will be able to adapt to changes that are occurring from globalization. As, they can utilize the different language skills to more effectively communicate with people. While at the same time, they have tremendous amounts of background in technology. (Black, 2009, pp. 668 -- 697)

Furthermore, the article that was written by Lopez (2010) found that English language learners who are taught using digital technology, are able to quickly understand new concepts that are being presented to them. This was determined based on a pilot program that was implemented by the Round Rock School District in Texas. Over the course of two years, they tested this as a way to address gaps between: English language learners and regular students in grades 3 through 5. As the basic idea was, to have everyone who was facing difficulties in understanding English, to begin working with special instructors. Then, have these students use: computers and special applications to improve their amounts of learning comprehension. The results were that this group of individuals quickly caught up with the rest of traditional students; in understanding the different concepts they were being taught. (Lopez, 2010, pp. 901 -- 915)

Moreover, the article that was written by Solozario (2008), found that when technology is used as a part of the educational curriculum for English language learners. That they were able to have higher achievement scores. The reason why, is because these tools are reaching out to these students in a way that will allow them to comprehend English based on concepts in conjunction with their native language. Once this takes place, it means that they can master the language and begin using the ideas they are taught every day. (Solozario, 2008, pp. 260 -- 329)

What did the literature say about my topic? What main ideas emerged in the literature? To what extent do these ideas pertain to my local situation? What variables should I derive from these studies for my Action Research Project?

The information from Zimmerman (2009) is important, because it is showing how the main ideas that emerged from the literature are illustrating how technology is being increasingly utilized. Yet, the availability of resources is somewhat limited from one institution to the next. The way that this relates to the local situation, is that technology can be able to increase the overall amounts of learning comprehension that are taking place in these kinds of students. As a result, the variables that can be extracted from this information, is that there needs to be a wide variety of solutions made available to educators. At the same time, there must be more support in helping them to reach out to these students. Once this occurs, it will provide the greatest amounts of learning comprehension. This helps to make the Action Research Project more effective by: understanding how this can improve the student's grasp of the materials and what are the underlying weaknesses in using this technology. (Zimmerman, 2009, pp. 3356 -- 3362)

This resource that was written by Freeman (2008) is significant, because it is highlighting how using technology to teach English language learners can improve the overall amounts of learning comprehension. The reason why, is because a host of different ideas are being presented in format that is using the various language skills of the student to reach out to them. At which point, new concepts can be introduced using a variety of different ideas that are augmented with the traditional English word. This is the point that overall levels of learning comprehension will begin to increase dramatically. The way that these ideas pertain to the local situation, is they are illustrating how these kinds of solutions can be used to: help address the issues facing English language learners on a host of different subjects. As a result, the variables that can be derived from this study are: illustrating how technology can be utilized as tool to bridge the cultural divide in these students. (Freeman, 2008, pp. 9 -- 19)

The information from Rodriguez (2008) is important, because it is illustrating how technology can be used as a way to address the challenges that many English language learners are facing in the traditional classroom. The reason why, is because these kinds of solutions can deal with the student's needs through visual and audio recognition sources. Once this takes place, it means that their overall amounts of learning comprehension will begin to increase dramatically. These different ideas are relevant to the local situation, because they are highlighting how this can be used as a tool to reach out to these individuals. As a result, the variables that can be derived from this study for the Action Research Project, is that it can improve the overall amounts of learning comprehension in these students. (Rodriguez, 2008, pp. 2423 -- 2426)