Thesis

1. Understanding SEI Instruction
through the Lens of the
Teacher:
Strategies, Successes, and Challenges
Emily Hanson
Salem State University
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Pierce
December 8, 2014

2. Overview/Background Information
 English Language Learners - any student unable to read, write,
speak, or comprehend (fluently) the English Language.
 4.4 million ELLs enrolled in the Public School System of the United
States.
 Implementation of Structured English Immersion (SEI) program:
 Reading, writing, and speaking are explicitly taught through
consecutive and modified lessons aligned to common mainstream
frameworks and curriculum.
 SEI programs aim to prepare ELLs to be transitioned into grade level
mainstream or bilingual programs.

3. The Project
 Due to the implementation of SEI programs, my thesis will seek to
answer the following questions:
 How does an SEI teacher differentiate instruction for students of different
English proficiency levels?
 What instructional strategies are most effective?
 What challenges do teachers face in attempting to implement best
practices?
 Observing and working with SEI teacher at the Nathaniel Bowditch
School in Salem.

4. Purpose
 4.4 million ELLs enrolled in U.S. Public Schools.
 Thousands of students falling between the cracks and failing to
succeed academically:
 Testing
 Ineffective instruction and placement
 Lack of qualified teachers
 Lack of teacher knowledge and awareness
 The purpose of the prospective research is to gain an understanding
and awareness of the importance of implementing SEI programs in
order to promote academic achievement amongst ELLS.
 Inform decision making and instruction throughout Public Schools.

5. Broader Implications
 The findings derived from the research will provide evidence to
support the importance of implementing SEI programs.
 The information gathered will likely impact:
 Teaching techniques and practices for LEP and diverse populations
 Design and implementation of curriculum

6. Work in Progress:
LITERATURE REVIEW!!!

7. Sources
 INFORMATION:
 Hidden curriculum (2014, August 26). In S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education
reform. Retrieved from http://edglossary.org/hidden-curriculum
 U.S. Department of Education. (2014). National center for education statistics:
English language learners. Retrieved 2 Dec 2014, 2014,
from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgf.asp
 IMAGE:
 http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3
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