Introducing a New Product

Language Comparison Poster

A Summary of the
Data Analysis Journal
and Language Comparison Paper

Sharon Marie Gillespie
Wilkes University
April 1, 2012

Part 1- Summary of Data Analysis Journal
The Biography of a ELL learner- Sally

Sally is an advanced adult ELL learner from Korea.

She has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years. She is well-educated and holds two Master degrees.

She has pursued English studies beginning in Korean middle school (7th grade) through college years (Masters degree in English language and literature).

Part 1- Summary of Data Analysis Journal
Sally's Language Errors (Verb Tenses)

About 50 % of Sally's language errors were Verb Tense Errors

Example: my parents have a six kids

Correct English: my parents had six kids

Sally's error was the use of an incorrect tense for an irregular verb (present to past).

Sally struggled with irregular English verbs, complex verb tenses, and article confusion.

Part 1- Summary of Data Analysis Journal
Sally's Language Errors (Vocabulary)

Sally's errors included theMispronunciation of Vocabulary

Example: miraclesly Correct English: miraculously

Sally's error was the omission of a middle morpheme in a multisyllabic word.

Sally has strong academic knowledge of vocabulary, but lacks speaking practice with correct pronunciation.

My observation: Her reading and knowledge of word meanings surpasses her speaking and pronunciation abilities.

Part 1- Summary of Data Analysis Journal
The Conclusion

In summary, Sallys oral language skills as an ELL are advanced. In over thirty years of learning English and living in America, she has developed an impressive English vocabulary. Her errors while speaking are mostly slight pronunciation mistakes or incorrect use of grammar in sentences. With further oral speaking practice, her errors could easily be corrected. Her desire to learn the English language and to study English literature is truly inspiring.

Part 2- Summary of Language Comparison Paper
Features of the Korean Language

The Korean Language - belongs to the Ural-Altaic Language Family- seems to be related to Japanese and heavily influenced by Chinese (70 % of Korean vocabulary comes from Chinese words)

The Korean alphabet is called Hangeul- consists of 14 simple consonants and 6 simple vowels

Since 1980, the Korean writing direction from left to right in horizontal lines is increasingly more popular.

Part 2- Summary of Language Comparison Paper
Language Structures of Korean and English

Both Korean and English...- follow the same direction of writing- use the alphabetic principle to distinguish consonants and vowels

Differences between Korean and English...- sentence structure (Korean is SOV, English is SVO)- Korean does not use articles, conjugation of verbs, auxiliaries, or word stress/ rhythm - most reference to the past in Korean is accomplished through a simple past tense

Part 2- Summary of Language Comparison Paper
Interlanguage Development from Korean to English

At times, Korean ELLs can make errors in inflection, denoting tense, and creating plural nouns.

Students may have difficulty telling the boundaries of multisyllabic words and morpheme parts.

They may struggle with the English article system.

Students may need to practice the rhythmic nature of the English language to avoid a monotonous 'flat' quality of speaking.

Part 2- Summary of Language Comparison Paper
Analysis of Korean ELL's Errors

Sally confused verb tenses (present participle and past). Difficulties with tenses and inflections were seen in Sally's incorrect use of irregular verbs.

Sally made typical mistakes in omitting and extending the use of articles and prepositions.

Sally struggled in distinguishing the morpheme parts of multisyllabic words.

Part 2- Summary of Language Comparison Paper
Instructional Implications for Korean ELLs

When writing and speaking, Korean ELLs will most likely struggle with grammar and inflection.

Koren ELLs may benefit from explicit instruction on verb tenses, articles, and subject/ verb agreement.

To further develop speaking abilities, Korean ELLs will need extensive practice with word stress and the rhythm of the English language.

As a future ESL teacher, this research has helped me to anticipate future errors and discern specific areas of instruction for Korean ELLs.