EAGLeS – English Acquisition in German Learning Disabled Students

The project EAGLeS examines 5th and 6th graders’ acquisition of English as a foreign language literacy (reading, spelling, grammar) in regard to systematic differences between students with poor native German literacy and their non-afflicted peers. Additionally, a standardized test measuring English as a foreign language literacy will be developed and validated.

Project Description

This study measures 5th and 6th graders’ reading, spelling, and select grammar skills in both German and English as a foreign language. Additionally, students’ logical thinking abilities are considered. This data enables the examination of to what extent, literacy difficulties in German impact English as a foreign language learning in early middle school. Together with the company Meister Cody, which is specialized in digital diagnostics and learning support, a standardized, digital test of English as a foreign language will be developed for grades 5 to 7. The test provides information about students’ (1) reading ability in regard to decontextualized word reading ability, sentence comprehension, and passage comprehension, (2) spelling ability in regard to vowel, consonant, and capitalization knowledge, and (3) grammatical knowledge of morphosyntactic understanding and homophone selection.

Project Objectives

This project aims to develop and validate digital English as a foreign language tests that enable an objective and consistent assessment of German-speaking 5th to 7th grade students. The test should offer differentiation amongst low-achieving and high-achieving students.

Funding

since 10/2024: Meister Cody GmbH

Cooperations

Meister Cody GmbH

Project Management

Project Details

Status:
Current project
Area of Focus Differential Educational Conditions and Educational Trajectories
Department: Education and Human Development
Unit: Development of Successful Learning
Education Sector: Primary and Secondary Education
Duration:
09/2019 – 09/2025
Funding:
External funding
Contact: Rebecca Silva von Heesen, Academic Staff