Article Review

How arts integration has helped k-2 teachers to boost the language
development of English-Language Learners.
Summary:
This article is about elementary teachers being trained arts-based strategies
in order to increase language development for English Language Learners.
The study was conducted in San Diego, a border city with one of the largest
ELL enrollments in the United States. The research showed a significant
improvement of the students listening and speaking scores from the
experimental group that incorporated arts-based strategies into lessons.
These arts-based strategies included, a curriculum with a strong focus on
dance and dramatic play to provide children with adaptive tools for
expressing themselves and interacting with others (Grove & Hinga, 2015).
The researchers also discussed the need for professional development to
help teachers address language development for English Language Learners.
ELLs now represent 1 in 9 students in the United States. In California they
represent 1 in 4 students (Educational Testing Service, 2009). More than twothirds of American teachers report that they have not had even 1 day of
training in supporting the learning of limited-English-proficient students
during the previous 3 years (Hirsh, 2009). The writers continue to stress the
need for professional development for teachers. Research has repeatedly
shown that teacher quality is the most important school-based determinant
of student success (Clotfelter, Lass & Vigdor, 2007; Gordon, Kane, & Staiger,
2006; Rivkin, Hanushek, & Kain, 2005). Therefore, this research team
developed the Teaching Artist Project (TAP) a partnership between the San
Diego Unified School District and the University of California, Irvine. TAP
trained teachers in arts-based strategies to enhance the English-language
development of young ELLs.
Review:
As I look for effective strategies to use in my research study, I was fascinated
yet not too surprised when I read the findings of this research study. This
study found that arts- integration has improved language development for
English Language Learners. I constantly hear people saying, I am a hands
on learner or I am a visual learner. Who isnt? All students, especially
small children benefit from kinesthetic, visual, or artistic teaching strategies.
Mages states, theater activities have been shown to boost literacy skills
(2006). Some teachers were concerned that a focus on the needs of ELLs
could result in non-ELLs falling behind. A growing body of literature shows
that best practices for promoting vocabulary knowledge among ELLS are also
best practices for building breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge
among native English speakers (August, Carlo, Dressler, &Snow, 2005; Beck
&Mckeown, 2007; Carlo et al., 2004). I think incorporating arts integration

into lessons for all children could be beneficial, especially for English
Language Learners. I plan on using some of these arts-based strategies, such
as readers theatre, into my lessons in my research study.
Link to article:
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APA Citation:
Liane Brouillette, Doug Grove, Briana Hinga. How arts integration has helped
k-2 teachers to boost the language development of English-Language
Learners. Journal of school leadership Volume 25-March 2015.