Embargo Period

5-2-2024

Degree Name

MA in International Education

First Advisor

Alla Korzh

Second Advisor

Sora Friedman

Abstract

The recent rise in undocumented immigrants in Minnesota has brought to light significant demographic shifts within the state. Many individuals in this population have limited or no proficiency in English, which highlights the challenges immigrant communities face in adapting to their new linguistic surroundings. As a result, educators have been presented with the challenge of serving a growing number of immigrant children in their schools. To tackle this issue, an intensive English program was developed for a suburban public school district in Minnesota to offer a more targeted approach to improving English proficiency among students before beginning courses required for graduation. An exploratory qualitative design assessed the need for an intensive English program utilizing in-depth interviews or surveys to gain insight into participants’ perspectives and experiences with intensive English programs. The findings from data collection indicate that an intensive English program is essential due to the increasing number, demographic shifts, and intensified challenges of recently arrived English learners. By participating in the program, students will improve their English proficiency in academic content areas and progress into emerging adulthood as they learn to thrive in a new culture and educational system.

Disciplines

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Language and Literacy Education | Secondary Education

Download

Share

Image Location

 
COinS