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

1
Language Learning in the Library Exploring How
ESL Students Use Academic Libraries

• Karen Bordonaro, Ph.D.
• Information Literacy Services/Instruction
  Coordinator
• James A. Gibson Library
• Brock University
• Ontario Library Association
• February 2, 2007

2
RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• Do ESL students make use of university libraries,
  and if so, in what ways?
• In the views of the students, is language
  learning an outgrowth of their use of the
  library, and if so, in what ways?
• Qualitative Study semi-structured interview
  questions

3
Why a Library Setting?

• Authentic language environment its purpose is
  not to teach English.
• Learning may take place in this setting
  (libraries as places that support and extend
  classroom learning).
• ESL students have not been studied in this
  environment from a language learning point of
  view.

4
Participants and Context

• 20 participants (10 women, 10 men) ages 20-35
• Native countries Japan, China, Mexico, Sweden,
  Hungary, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Jordan,
  Dominican Republic, Haiti
• Majors psychology, business, religion, music,
  criminal justice, education, computer science,
  chemistry, biology, counseling
• American university 5000 students
• ESL students not separated into an English
  Language Institute

5
Uses of the Library

• Library as study hall (individual, group) to do
  homework
• Library as repository (academic, leisure) to
  find material
• Library for instructional assistance to ask for
  help
• Library as social center to meet other students
• Library for language learning to improve
  English

6
The Library for Self-Directed Language Learning

• Speaking and Listening improved fluency and
  accuracy through speaking with and listening to
  other students and library staff
• Reading improved reading speed, reading
  comprehension, learning of new vocabulary through
  reading of textbooks, library materials,
  recreational material in the library
• Writing improved writing through writing
  papers, email messages, vocabulary notebooks, and
  diaries in the library

7
Student Testimonials

• Louisa Engaging in all these activities helps
  improve my English.
• Nathan All my study here is English, and is in
  English.
• Lucas I cant separate the two learning
  English and using the library.

8
The Library for Recreational Reading

• Lucas - voracious recreational reader in the
  library, engages in awareness and reflection on
  how this helps him improve English
• Anna - random recreational reading in newspapers
  and magazines in the library, awareness and
  reflection on language learner strategies she
  engages in
• Stephanie - recreational reading in the library
  as outgrowth of classroom reading, awareness and
  reflection on this improving her written and
  spoken English

9
IMPLICATIONS

• Library staff should become aware that ESL
  students are using libraries to help themselves
  improve their English and should work to make
  them feel welcome.
• University libraries should support the purchase
  of recreational reading material because it
  serves an important academic purpose in our
  collections.

10
Conclusion

• ESL students do appear to make use of university
  libraries for a number of reasons, among them
  language learning.
• The library may serve as a fruitful venue for the
  further study of language learning issues.
• Thank you