Language Learning in the Library: Language Learning in the Library: Exploring How ESL Students Use Academic LibrariesExploring How ESL Students Use Academic Libraries

Karen Bordonaro, Ph.D.Karen Bordonaro, Ph.D.

Information Literacy Services/Instruction CoordinatorInformation Literacy Services/Instruction Coordinator

James A. Gibson LibraryJames A. Gibson Library

Brock UniversityBrock University

Ontario Library Association Ontario Library Association

February 2, 2007February 2, 2007

RESEARCH QUESTIONSRESEARCH QUESTIONS

Do ESL students make use of university libraries, and if Do ESL students make use of university libraries, and if so, in what ways?so, in what ways?

In the views of the students, is language learning an In the views of the students, is language learning an outgrowth of their use of the library, and if so, in what outgrowth of their use of the library, and if so, in what ways?ways?

Qualitative Study: semi-structured interview questionsQualitative Study: semi-structured interview questions

Why a Library Setting?Why a Library Setting?

Authentic language environment – its purpose is Authentic language environment – its purpose is not to teach English.not to teach English.

Learning may take place in this setting (libraries Learning may take place in this setting (libraries as places that support and extend classroom as places that support and extend classroom learning).learning).

ESL students have not been studied in this ESL students have not been studied in this environment from a language learningenvironment from a language learning point of point of view.view.

Participants and ContextParticipants and Context 20 participants (10 women, 10 men) ages 20-3520 participants (10 women, 10 men) ages 20-35

Native countries: Japan, China, Mexico, Sweden, Hungary, Native countries: Japan, China, Mexico, Sweden, Hungary, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Dominican Republic, HaitiFrance, Spain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Dominican Republic, Haiti

Majors: psychology, business, religion, music, criminal Majors: psychology, business, religion, music, criminal justice, education, computer science, chemistry, biology, justice, education, computer science, chemistry, biology, counseling counseling

American university – 5000 studentsAmerican university – 5000 students

ESL students not separated into an English Language InstituteESL students not separated into an English Language Institute

Uses of the LibraryUses of the Library Library as Library as study hallstudy hall (individual, group) – to do homework (individual, group) – to do homework

Library as Library as repositoryrepository (academic, leisure) – to find material (academic, leisure) – to find material

Library for Library for instructional assistanceinstructional assistance – to ask for help – to ask for help

Library as Library as social centersocial center – to meet other students – to meet other students

Library for Library for language learninglanguage learning – to improve English – to improve English

The Library for Self-Directed Language LearningThe Library for Self-Directed Language Learning

SpeakingSpeaking and Listeningand Listening – improved fluency and accuracy – improved fluency and accuracy through speaking with and listening to other students and through speaking with and listening to other students and library stafflibrary staff

Reading Reading – improved reading speed, reading comprehension, – improved reading speed, reading comprehension, learning of new vocabulary through reading of textbooks, learning of new vocabulary through reading of textbooks, library materials, recreational material in the librarylibrary materials, recreational material in the library

WritingWriting – improved writing through writing papers, email – improved writing through writing papers, email messages, vocabulary notebooks, and diaries in the librarymessages, vocabulary notebooks, and diaries in the library

Student TestimonialsStudent Testimonials

Louisa: Louisa: “Engaging in all these activities helps improve “Engaging in all these activities helps improve my English.”my English.”

Nathan: “Nathan: “All my study here is English, and is in All my study here is English, and is in English.”English.”

Lucas: Lucas: “I can’t separate the two – learning English and “I can’t separate the two – learning English and using the library.”using the library.”

The Library for The Library for Recreational ReadingRecreational Reading

Lucas - voracious recreational reader in the library, engages in Lucas - voracious recreational reader in the library, engages in awareness and reflection on how this helps him improve awareness and reflection on how this helps him improve EnglishEnglish

Anna - random recreational reading in newspapers and Anna - random recreational reading in newspapers and magazines in the library, awareness and reflection on language magazines in the library, awareness and reflection on language learner strategies she engages inlearner strategies she engages in

Stephanie - recreational reading in the library as outgrowth of Stephanie - recreational reading in the library as outgrowth of classroom reading, awareness and reflection on this improving classroom reading, awareness and reflection on this improving her written and spoken Englishher written and spoken English

IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS

Library staff should become aware that ESL students Library staff should become aware that ESL students are using libraries to help themselves improve their are using libraries to help themselves improve their English and should work to make them feel welcome.English and should work to make them feel welcome.

University libraries should support the purchase of University libraries should support the purchase of recreational reading material because it serves an recreational reading material because it serves an important academic purpose in our collections.important academic purpose in our collections.

ConclusionConclusion

ESL students do appear to make use of university ESL students do appear to make use of university libraries for a number of reasons, among them libraries for a number of reasons, among them language learning.language learning.

The library may serve as a fruitful venue for the The library may serve as a fruitful venue for the further study of language learning issues.further study of language learning issues.

Thank youThank you