What matters? A case study of elementary english language learners in STEM education

ABSTRACT The rapidly growing needs of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce have attracted educators and policymakers to reinforce STEM education from elementary to postsecondary education. Additionally, an increasing number of English language learners (ELLs) in the U.S. public education system draws educators’ attention to improve their STEM learning performance. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which pertinent factors, i.e. language proficiency, pedagogical approach, cultural diversity, learning interest, and classroom climate are interacted in Chinese ELLs’ STEM learning engagement and performance and conduct a culture-based insight of the linkage of the key factors. Five first-generation young Chinese ELLs and their parents from public kindergarten and elementary schools in the U.S. completed two rounds of individual interviews. A qualitative cross-case analysis from an Emic perspective was used to explore how the key factors associated with Chinese ELLs’ STEM learning outcomes, including learning engagement (effort and persistence) and performance. Data were analyzed by NVivo 12.0. Language proficiency, pedagogical approach, learning interest, and classroom climate carried global influences on Chinese ELLs’ learning outcomes from different aspects. Moreover, cultural diversity as a contextual element influenced Chinese ELLs’ STEM learning engagement and performance throughout the other four factors. The findings of this study delineated a bridge that linked language proficiency, pedagogical approach, cultural diversity, learning interest, classroom climate, and interactions to STEM learning outcomes as multifaceted systems under possible contextual situations among Chinese ELLs. With an integrative understanding of cultural diversity and other key factors, we suggested that educators could utilize culture-centered connectivity in STEM teaching for students from a Chinese background.