Targeted Native Language Training with Preservice Special Education Teachers

Preservice special education teacher candidates in higher education training programs are given little or no specific training in the use of basic native language or cultural academic instructional techniques to support the learning needs of students who have not reached a level of English proficiency. Preservice special education students are also not assessed for their effective level of application of culturally responsive language techniques to classroom field placement settings when working with diverse children with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the transfer of basic Spanish language culturally responsive academic math problem solving instruction strategies from the university classroom to field placements by three preservice student teachers in a special education training program in mild/moderate disabilities. This study employed an experimental single-subject multiple baseline design across subjects. Data were collected on the frequency of use of basic culturally responsive Spanish language behavior in the areas of (a) concept bridging, (b) task directional, and (c) praising language. After five sessions of explicit targeted Spanish language training all subjects significantly increased their levels of the use of the Spanish targeted language approach when teaching small groups of students in their classroom field placement settings.