Claire Caldwell

University Honors with Honors in Elementary Education

Major: Elementary Education Minor: Spanish

Supervisor: Kathy Fox, Elementary Education

Native Language Support for the Middle Level ESL Student

The purpose of this research is to investigate whether or not native language support for English as a Second Language (ESL) students aids in reading fluency and comprehension in the students’ school language, English. The research targets the Spanish-speaking, middle level ESL student. In addition to research, observations and interviews have been conducted, and information gathered through these processes has been applied to teaching the middle level ESL student. The culminating product is a ten lesson literature-based reading curriculum for the middle level, Spanish-speaking ESL student. The curriculum supports the student's native language and prepares the student to enter into the advanced level of ESL.