Clarena Larrotta

Texas State University | TxSt · Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Eighteen internationally trained professionals were paired‐up with nine English language instructors for this project. Even though the focus was on extensive listening practice, the learners created spoken messages to send a response to their instructors every week. The schedule and deadlines established helped participants to be organized and make...

In all, 15 Latina mothers participated in a 10‐week bilingual family reading project implemented at a public elementary school in rural Texas. Convivencia and pláticas were critical components for the implementation of the family reading project. Thus, the research question guiding the present article is as follows: How can pláticas with Latina mot...

Available via OnlineFirst listings for the Adult Learning journal. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1045159520982672 Abstract: This article provides an account of a group of adult Chinese immigrants learning English at a cultural center serving the local Asian community. The focus of this teacher-research descriptive case study is on l...

Utilizing a reflective case study approach and the constant comparative method, two foreign born scholars examine their experiences through the professional socialization process in the distinct U.S. academe arenas (e.g., cultural, institutional, interactive). The research questions guiding the study include: (1) What is traditionally expected of a...

This article discusses the contributions of foreign-born TESOL instructors helping adult language learners develop literacy skills through a pen pal project, which lasted 10 weeks and consisted of writing letters back and forth weekly. The project provided adult immigrant learners with an opportunity to practice meaningful writing to support their...

This book centralizes the narratives of adult English language learners, teachers, and trainee teachers in the development of a humanistic language pedagogy; their strengths, concerns, and stories inform this practical guide to adult literacy development and English language-culture learning and teaching. The author sets the need to educate the who...

...A strong anti-immigrant sentiment has resurfaced in the country making immigrant life more difficult. Immigration policies are a moving target and are negatively affecting individuals, families, and entire cities. The work of adult educators and literacy educators has doubled. They cannot just teach language, or math, or literacy. They must teac...

This book presents an overview of theoretical issues, foundational concepts, and pedagogical experiences fostering the bilingual education of adult immigrants within the context of the United States, more specifically South Central Texas. The focal participants in the research presented here are adult English learners and their teachers. Many books...

Rhetorical analysis was a required unit of study for college students enrolled in intermediate English as a second language (ESL) composition. Twenty-six students participated in a project creating an original product and its infomercial. The project aimed at increasing student motivation to continue writing essays in English and providing a space...

The purpose of the study was to understand instructors’ viewpoints on the relevance of learning to learn (L2L) in the settings where they teach. Twenty-four instructors answered an online qualitative survey about their experiences teaching English to adults. Data analysis was informed by narrative analysis procedures. Study findings include teacher...

This chapter provides examples of transitions that learners face connected to their participation in adult education and English literacy instruction. It describes their efforts to attain relevant language expression skills.

This qualitative research study took place in Central Texas and is rooted in the principles of collaborative action research. This research approach was useful to gather facts, define the problem, engage study participants, and come up with a product that fit the community need defined by Compassionate Heart Hospice, the focal study setting. The re...

The qualitative research study explored in this chapter took place in a physical education teacher education program at a large public university in Puerto Rico. Study findings are relevant for similar programs in the United States. The research questions guiding the chapter are: (1) What can physical education teacher candidates do to help promote...

This research is rooted in an approach that sees English learning and teaching as practices shaped by adults’ funds of knowledge and adult-learning principles. We investigate how English-literacy instruction can build on the funds of knowledge (life experiences, knowledge, skills, and learning habits) that adult learners bring with them. In additio...

For many reasons second language vocabulary learning and teaching continues to be a topic of interest for learners, instructors, and researchers. This article describes the implementation of personal glossaries in a community program offering English as second language classes to Latina/o Spanish speaking adults. Field notes, interviews, and studen...

This qualitative research examines family literacy practices used by working-class Latina/o parents. Through personal narratives two Latina researchers illustrate how their parents and family members engage in nontraditional parental involvement activities that promote literacy development and learning. Analysis of narratives reveals incidental lea...

This chapter discusses underlying themes and emergent issues related to community building and the learning and teaching of adult ESL.

This chapter focuses on journal writing in adult ESL as a practice to promote literacy development and community building.

This qualitative study reports on a Latina/o parent literacy project teaching literacy lessons in Spanish to Latina mothers and their children enrolled at a public elementary school. The participating mothers study and practice reading strategies to later put them into practice with their children. Data sources include: Parents' reflective journals...

Using the concept of community building as a framework, this volume summarizes and updates readers on the state of adult English as a second language (ESL) education in the United States. It provides a complete description of this population of learners and their learning needs. The various chapters discuss possibilities for community building in t...

In this article, we describe the parent literacy project and highlight the potential of efforts to involve parents in meaningful ways with their children's literacy development. Through our work with Latino immigrant parents, we found that parents, even with low literacy skills and not much formal schooling, have the desire and capacity to help wit...

The author conducted a qualitative research study (Larrotta, 2005) and collected data on the use of inquiry cycles as a pedagogic activity to provide students with opportunities to develop ESL (English as a second language) literacy. The purpose of this paper is to share the author's findings on implementing inquiry cycles in an ESL literacy class...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. Supervisor: David Schwarzer. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. System requirements: Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

This paper summarizes a 4-month-long preparation process to implement an innovative English-as-a-Second-Language workplace program (ESLWP) at a large university with a sizable non-English speaking workforce in the United States. There is also a proposed plan of action for implementing a program guided by constructivist views of teaching and learnin...