Perceptions of English language learners (PELL): Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Chinese students' perceptions of their success in learning English as a second language

Many studies have attempted to explain how language is acquired, but few studies have focused on the perceptions of the learner. Even fewer studies have focused on Chinese middle school students explaining their successful acquisition of English as a second language.; Perceptions of English Language Learners (PELL) is a phenomenological study seeking an answer to the question: What are the perceptions of Chinese English language learner (ELL) middle school students regarding their successful acquisition of English as a second language? Criterion based sampling and multiple measures were used to identify the 2 study groups. The 2 groups studied were: Group A, Highly Successful English Language Learners (HSELL); students who acquired academic proficiency of English as a second language within 2 years of entering the United States and the English language development (ELD) program, and Group B, Successful English Language Learners (SELL); students who have not acquired the level proficiency to be categorized as a fluent English speaker within 2 years, but were expected to acquire academic proficiency of language within 4 years of entering the United States and the ELD program.; The 4 major themes that emerged from the transcripts that participants felt were a significant influence in their learning English as a second language were: (a) social interaction and language usage; (b) reading and literacy proficiency; (c) parental expectations ; and (d) student goals. These 4 themes may be categorized into 3 super-categories that positively impact learning English as a second language: (a) social interaction ; (b) high aspiration for success; and (c) literacy language learning. Information from this study will be made available to educators for the purpose of comparing current ELD classroom instruction to activities, methods, and suggestions given by the successful ELD students.