Mass media in the writing process of English as a second language kindergarteners: A case study examination

Mass media such as television, video players, video games, compact disks, and the computers are commonplace in current American culture. For English as a Second Language children, television may be the only source of English in the home serving as models of grammar, syntax, story structure. An investigation was made using English as a Second Language (ESL) kindergarteners, the classroom writing center, participant-observation, teacher as researcher, and case study methodology to investigate the following questions: Do ESL kindergarten children use media in their writing? If so, how do they use media in their writing? Upon examination of the data, it was found that all these ESL children did use media in the writing process. The function and form of the media references varied from child to child. Media was a cultural context for the childrenÕs social interactions. Oral language (with and without media references) not only informed the writing for some, but also served: to initiate, participate in, and sustain social relationships with peers. Findings indicated that two case study subjects used social dialogue as a separate operation from the production of a written story. Language informed the writing but it also had a socialization function in addition to what the writing needs were. The social aspects of literacy beyond language used to inform the writing is a topic suggested for further research.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Melton, Janet Moody

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jacobson, Arminta
• Lundsteen, Sara W.
• Mathis, Janelle
• Davis, Ruth A.

• English language -- Study and teaching (Preschool) -- Foreign speakers.
• English language -- Composition and exercises -- Study and teaching (Preschool)
• Mass media and children.
• Kindergarten.
• English as a Second Language
• kindergarten
• media influence
• writing process
• social interaction

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Melton, Janet Moody
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 49792944
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2881/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2881

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2881