Blog 18

PURPOSE:
With this research, I will explore the impact that the switching between languages has on the progress of the writing skills of a bilingual student with a low English proficiency.

REASEARCH QUESTION:
When is necessary for a bilingual tutor to switch between languages with a bilingual student that has a low level of English proficiency?

The language barrier in students who study in a country that has a different language, and whose proficiency of that new language is low, is a major problem for their professional development.

When an ESL student comes to a writing center looking for some help to understand what he/she is supposed to do for an assignment or to improve their writing, which in most of the cases is not good, they need to be helped by someone that understands their needs.
The needs of these students can only be understood by someone who speaks the same native language as them. A tutor who has the same native language can help these students to understand what they need to do, to develop their skills and to improve their second language proficiency.

Sub questions to consider:
If the switching of languages is a key strategy for the success of the session, when does the tutor speak Spanish? When does the tutor speak English? How is the switching done and by whom? If the change is done by the tutor, how does the student respond to the change? What language does the student use to respond to the change of language?
List of the information you need to gather:
For the information I need to gather I will use the check list below:
1. Data file
a. Student´s name
b. Why she/he came
c. Assignment
d. “Get to know you” talk
e. Body language
f. Student needs
2. Setting goals
a. Who sets the goals
3. Coaching strategy
a. What worked
b. What didn´t work
c. Tutoring style
d. Body language, silences, eye contact
e. What was said and by whom
4. Student attitude
a. At the beginning of the session
b. During the session
c. At the end of the session
5.Coach effectiveness in the session/student satisfaction
a. Student response to the work
b. What was accomplished
c. Student say back
6.Evaluation

Plan for gathering your information:
For gathering this information, I will print a copy of the check list and fill it in after each session. The switching of the language is spontaneous and many times I did not realize it. I will ask my classmates to take notes for me and pay very careful attention to the moment I switch the language, so that I can have a more complete data collection.