ERIC Number: ED656917
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Aug
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Are Written Syntax Features Related to Writing Quality? An Examination of Spanish and English Compositions by Bilingual Children
Grantee Submission, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research v68 p2566-2582 2024
Purpose: There is limited research on the writing of young Spanish-English bilinguals and their writing in both languages. In the current study, we addressed whether written syntax features differed by language (English and Spanish) and varied as a function of grade level, English learner status, and instructional program (dual or English immersion). We also examined whether Spanish and English syntax features were related cross-linguistically and related to writing quality within languages and whether these relations to writing quality were moderated by grade level, English learner status, and instructional program. Method: We examined written syntax features of Spanish and English essays by simultaneous and emergent bilinguals in Grades 1, 2, and 3 in either Spanish-English dual immersion or English immersion instruction in the United States (N = 278). Essays were scored for quality and evaluated for mean length of T-units, number of verbs, number of noun agreement words, and number of subject agreement words accurately conjugated. Results: Written syntax features significantly differed by language and varied as a function of grade level, English learner status, and instructional program. Grades 2 and 3 wrote longer utterances, more verbs, and greater noun agreement accuracy than Grade 1. Syntax features were related to writing quality within languages, but Spanish relations were weaker for English learners than non-English learners and for dual immersion students than English immersion students. Conclusion: Our findings suggest written syntax features may be useful for evaluation of English-Spanish simultaneous and emergent bilinguals' writing.
Descriptors: Written Language, Spanish, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Immersion Programs, Second Language Instruction, Bilingualism, Nouns, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Essays, Elementary School Students, Writing Evaluation, Accuracy, Grammar, Comparative Analysis, Transfer of Training, Instructional Program Divisions, Achievement Tests, Syntax
Related Records: EJ1436604
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 1; Primary Education; Grade 2; Grade 3
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
IES Funded: Yes