Teachers’ Perceptions of the Learning Needs of English Language Learners During the Pandemic

Teachers’ Perceptions of the Learning Needs of English Language Learners during the Pandemic
by
__________________
A Dissertation Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
UNIVERSITY__________________
March 2023
RESEARCH ADVISOR:  Professor
University ___________
Contents
Contents Chapter 1: Introduction  4 Introduction  4 Purpose of the study  11 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations  13 Definition of Terms  14 Chapter 2: Literature Review   16 The ELL Concept 16 Theoretical Framework  17 ELL Uniqueness  18 Intercultural Competence  19 Digital Resources  20 Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19  21 Inherent ELL Challenges  22 Inadequate Instructor Training and Support 24 Academic Workload  27 Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19  28 COVID-19 Effects on ELL Students and Schools  30 Pre-Pandemic Disparities in English Learners  31 Chapter 3: Research Methodology  34 Methodological Overview   34 Restatement of Purpose  34 The research philosophy serves as the foundational stage of executing a study since it directs each step in the methodology chapter. The philosophy defines a set of principles behind the study's construction (Moore, 2016). Using a research philosophy, the researcher considers what must be done in a research process and how it should be done using the necessary standards and principles. This study is ontological since it defines knowledge in terms of what should be investigated and how to be investigated. In this study, pragmatism is chosen as the primary philosophical foundation. The basis for pragmatic thinking is the understanding that knowledge and its application occur in several social and cultural circumstances (Allen, 2017). A pragmatic approach to evaluating phenomena yields the highest quality and quality of information when the proper tools are in place (Elkatawneh, 2016). As a result, the socio-cultural and economic aspects present in specific locations should primarily determine how policies are developed and implemented. Implementing web-based learning for ELLs has ramifications for pragmatism since the following challenges show how different people would differ regarding their capacity to adjust to changes. 36 Research Design  36 Target Population  38 Sampling Method  39 Limitations of Snowball Sampling  40 Sample Frame  41 Data Collection Tools  42 Questionnaire  43 Data Analysis  44 Data Procedures and Management 45 Ethical Considerations  46 References  48
Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
The disparities that English-language learners (ELLs) from immigrant households encounter in American schools and their communities have been brought into stark light by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the ELLs in the US attend under-resourced, low-income schools, which frequently struggle—despite long-standing legislative requirements—to give these students high-quality education and essential academic support systems. States and districts reacted to the switch to remote le...