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Effect of a Performing Arts Program on the Oral Language Skills of Young English Learners
Author(s) -
Greenfader Christa Mulker,
Brouillette Liane,
Farkas George
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
reading research quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1936-2722
pISSN - 0034-0553
DOI - 10.1002/rrq.90
Subject(s) - language arts , psychology , the arts , english language , linguistics , mathematics education , pedagogy , art , visual arts , philosophy
Although English oral language proficiency in the primary grades is critical to the literacy development of English learners (ELs), we know little about how to foster these skills. This study examined a yearlong K–2 drama and creative movement intervention. A randomized experimental design ( N = 5,240) was used to address two research questions: (1) Did participating ELs perform better on oral language assessments than those who did not receive the intervention? (2) Was the impact of the program moderated by students' baseline English‐language skills? Student speaking and listening skills were measured using the California English Language Development Test. The treatment group ( N = 902) outperformed controls ( N = 4,338) on speaking assessments. ELs with the most limited English speaking abilities at baseline benefited most from the program.