English-as-a-Second-Language Programs in the Army
Abstract
This report describes an evaluation of three Army English-as-a-second language (ESL) instructional programs, 3-week, 6-week, and 6-month. The evaluation used multitrait, multimethod design. Results showed that most of the soldiers in Army ESL programs were well educated Puerto Ricans whose English- speaking skills were weak. The three programs differed considerably in their length, content and 'functionality'. All these programs produced gains in English proficiency as measured by a standardized test. The longer the training time, the greater the gains. Oral proficiency data showed that 6-week students gained at about the same rate as 3-month students in some skills but not others. Although ESL participants generally liked their programs and teachers, they felt the need for more practice in conservation skills. Supervisors were generally supportive of the programs and made qualitative distinctions between soldiers scoring 50 or more on the standardized test and those scoring 50 or less. Implications of the results concern key characteristics of ESL programs, the need for ESL in the Army, and the validity of typically used cutoff scores on the standardized test.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA159330
Entities
People
- Janice Redish
- Joan Harman
- Rebecca Oxford-carpenter
Organizations
- American Institutes for Research