Report of Quantitative Research Essay -- Research Analysis

EL (English Learners) students are given an added challenge of succeeding in the education system do to their lack of strong English understanding and abilities. Authors Townsend, D. and Collins, P. published the findings of their research on EL students and the advantages of a specialized learning program. Over a period of several months, the researchers studied and worked with students from a middle school in southern California. At the end of the study, it was hoped that their efforts would lead to an improvement in the students who participated in the programs understanding of English vocabulary words. Research Questions/Hypotheses No specific hypothesis is noted, but the researchers do address the issues that drive the study. They state that the current study is concerned with, â€Å"applying evidence-based strategies in a new context: adolescent EL students learning general academic vocabulary words† (Townsend and Collins, 2009, p.997). The study also addresses, â€Å"the extent to which there is a threshold of English proficiency necessary for students to learn general academic vocabulary words† (Townsend and Collins, 2009, p. 997). These issues are addressed by the following research question: 1. Can an after-school, evidence-based academic vocabulary development intervention increase the academic vocabulary knowledge of middle school EL? 2. To what extent does English learners’ proficiency in English mediate their response to a vocabulary development intervention? It was hoped by studying a group of middle school students over a period that they would see growth in those student who participated in a program designed to add English vocabulary comprehension to their academic development would help them as EL students. T... ...s a great need to continue and accelerate the research and instructional efforts to support the academic literacy development of adolescent EL students† (p. 1015). A study that incorporates greater elements of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and time, is perceived to be needed in order to improve EL learner’s education. Townsend and Collins believe that there research can lead to much needed further research and that this can in turn help EL students achieve in a greater educational level. Works Cited Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (2009). Educational research: Competencies for analysis and application (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill (Pearson). Townsend, D. & Collins, P. (2009). Academic vocabulary and middle school English learners: An intervention study. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 22, 993-1019.