[AAACE-NLA] What should be our field's research priorities?

[tsticht@znet.com]

David Rosen asked for some ideas for research for our field.  Here are some
from the new CAAL report on ESL to which Gail Spangenberg called attention
(www.caal.org) in her recent post.

o Baseline longitudinal research on the effectiveness of adult
education ESL service;

o In-depth research on the effectiveness of innovative strategies and
why they are successful;

o Research on the contributions that CBOs make to ESL service, by
providing both instruction and supportive services to learners;

o Research on strengthening the linkages between ESL programs
and welfare or other job training agencies;

o Research on improving the cost effectiveness of programs that
provide immigrants with the English language skills required to
pass the test for American citizenship; and

o Research on how ESL programs can be structured to improve
students’ lifelong learning of English after they have separated
from formal instructional systems.