Literacy practices of Mexican and Ghanaian immigrant women with limited ESL literacy

Scarce ESL literacy research exists on low-literate, immigrant learners over the age of sixty. Research on this underrepresented population is critical for increasing their participation and success in ESL programs. This study describes the literacy practices, perceived needs, expectations, literacy statements, and classroom dynamics of low-literate, immigrant learners over the age of sixty. Data was collected over a seven-week period using interviews, classroom observations, and drawing tasks at a U.S. ESL tutoring center supported by volunteer tutors. Two ESL students from Ghana and México participated. Data was analyzed using Norton’s (2013) investment model. Findings showed that participants desired autonomy; classroom dynamics influenced participants’ perceived needs and negative literacy statements; and English-speaking family members positively influenced participants’ engagement in English literacy practices. From a pedagogical perspective, increasing low-literate, immigrant learners’ active participation in ESL programs requires improved resources for tutor training, relevant content for learners’ needs, and learners to have strong social connections with English speakers outside of the classroom.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teaching of English Sec Lang

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Butler-Auld, Hannah A

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sadler, Randall W
• Kang, Hyun-Sook

• literacy practices
• limited literacy
• low-literacy
• English as a second language
• immigrant
• investment model
• New Literacy Studies
• women
• elderly
• sociocultural
• adult learners

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Hannah A. Butler-Auld

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/107870

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F107870